The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has affirmed the selection and installation of Oba Ghandi Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso, overturning a previous judgment that had nullified his appointment.
Delivering its verdict on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Justice Yargata Nimpar ruled in favor of Oba Olaoye on all ten grounds of appeal, setting aside the earlier decision of the Oyo State High Court.
The case originated from an October 25, 2023, ruling by Justice K. A. Adedokun of the Oyo State High Court, Ogbomoso, which had declared the selection process “irregular, null, and void” due to alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the 1958 Soun Chieftaincy Declaration. The judgment had cast uncertainty over the legitimacy of Oba Olaoye’s ascension to the throne.
However, in its latest ruling, the appellate court rejected the lower court’s position, effectively reinstating Oba Olaoye’s status as the rightful Soun of Ogbomoso. This decision brings an end to the protracted legal battle surrounding the traditional leadership of the ancient town.
The ruling is expected to solidify stability within the Ogbomoso community and reaffirm the authority of its traditional institutions. Legal experts and stakeholders in the chieftaincy affairs of Oyo State have hailed the decision as a significant precedent in the interpretation of traditional laws and succession processes.
As reactions pour in, residents of Ogbomoso and supporters of Oba Olaoye have welcomed the verdict, expressing hope for unity and progress under his reign.
