The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has been summoned before the Oyo State High Court sitting in Oyo Town following a suit instituted by a group of princes challenging aspects of his public conduct and traditional engagements.
The claimants—Ladigbolu Adegboyega, Owoade Tesleem, Adeyemi Adesina and Adeyemi Adebayo—filed the action seeking far-reaching declaratory and injunctive reliefs against the revered monarch, whom they named as a defendant in the suit.
The princes contend that certain appearances and actions allegedly undertaken by the Alaafin fall short of what they describe as the dignified standards historically associated with the stool of Alaafin, regarded as a symbolic traditional head of the Yoruba race.
In their originating processes, the claimants are asking the court to grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Alaafin, whether by himself, his servants, privies or agents, from appearing at, attending or further attending occasions and functions which, in their view, are not befitting the exalted status of the Alaafin of Oyo.
They further seek an order barring the monarch from engaging in any traditional or official conduct that would render him subservient or inferior to any other Oba in Yorubaland.
Beyond the restraining orders, the princes are also urging the court to make a declaratory pronouncement affirming that the office of the Alaafin of Oyo—currently occupied by Oba Owoade—is of immense historical and cultural significance, not only within Yorubaland but across Nigeria, West Africa and the global African diaspora.
According to the claimants, such a declaration is necessary to preserve the sanctity, autonomy and pre-eminence historically attached to the ancient Oyo throne.
Court documents indicate that the defendant has been formally called upon to enter an appearance in the matter, either personally or through duly accredited legal practitioners. As stated in the writ of summons, the Alaafin may respond by completing and submitting the appropriate appearance forms at the registry of the High Court within the judicial division where the action was instituted, or by transmitting the documents to the registry via registered post in accordance with the rules of court.
