Court restrains Oyo govt from appointing new Aresaadu of Iresaadu
By Adejayan Gbenga
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has restrained the state government from appointing, nominating or installing a new Aresaadu of Iresaadu in Surulere Local Government Area.
Justice K.A. Adedokun, who presided over the case, also restrained the Emiolu ruling house and the kingmakers in Iresaadu from taking any steps to select, approve or install another person to occupy the traditional stool.
The judge held that the Aresaadu stool was not vacant and, therefore, there was no basis for the state government or other parties to proceed with the appointment of another traditional ruler.
Justice Adedokun issued the interim order on Friday while ruling on a suit filed by Oba Abraham Adeyeye Oyerinde, the incumbent Aresaadu of Iresaadu, who approached the court to protect his position. A certified true copy of the ruling was made available to journalists on Tuesday.
Oyerinde, who was installed in 2019 during the administration of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, late Abiola Ajimobi, had asked the court to restrain the government and other parties from appointing another person to occupy the stool.
In the suit, numbered HOI/6/2026, the monarch sought an injunction against the Oyo State Government, the Emiolu ruling house and the kingmakers. Justice Adedokun granted the application after considering arguments presented by Oyerinde’s lawyer, Mr. S.T.A. Raji.
The court consequently barred the defendants from nominating, appointing or approving any candidate for the Aresaadu of Iresaadu stool, as well as from taking any steps towards the appointment or installation of another traditional ruler pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice.
Justice Adedokun held that the applicant had established that his right was under threat and required the court’s protection. He added that the circumstances of the case warranted an interim order, describing the application as meritorious and granting it as prayed.
