Alaafin seeks Supreme Court intervention to halt Ago-Oja chieftaincy elevation
Adejayan Gbenga
The Alaafin of Oyo has approached the Supreme Court to stop the Oyo State Government from creating, recognising, or elevating the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy pending the determination of an ongoing appeal.
In a motion filed on January 30, 2026, the monarch requested interlocutory and mandatory injunctions against Governor Seyi Makinde and the state’s Attorney-General.
The application urges the court to halt any installation, recognition, or elevation related to Alhaji Ganiyu Busari as Baale Ago-Oja or Oloja of Ago-Oja until the appeal is resolved.
The legal action stems from earlier judgments, including a 2007 Oyo State High Court ruling, later upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2017, which declared the Baale Ago-Oja stool non-existent.
The Alaafin’s counsel argued that reviving or elevating the title would disregard existing court decisions and potentially undermine the pending Supreme Court appeal.
The monarch is also asking the apex court to stop the planned coronation scheduled for February 13, 2026, and to set aside the 2025 Oyo State Gazette that elevated the chieftaincy status.
Meanwhile, lawyers to the Alaafin have warned the state government that proceeding with the coronation could amount to contempt of court.
They maintained that executive actions cannot revive a chieftaincy previously declared non-existent by competent courts.
The Supreme Court is yet to fix a hearing date for the appeal and accompanying motion.
