Osun kingship crisis: No court has proclaimed I’m not Aree, Oba Oluponle insists

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The embattled Osun monarch, Aree of Iree, Oba Raphael Oluponle has kicked against the appointment of Prince Muritala Oyelakin, as new Aaree of Iree, in Boripe North Local Council Development Area of the state.

Westernpost reports that the Osun State Government approved the appointment of Oyelakin as new Aree.

The State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said that the warrant chiefs had subsequently withdrawn their suit, leading to the restarting of the selection process by the kingmakers and forwarding of  the king-nominee by the local authority to the state government.

But the embattled monarch, while reacting to the appointment in an interview, insisted that the case has never been withdrawn from Court saying what Governor Ademola Adeleke led Government has done is contempt of law.

Oba Oluponle also said that the Government has run foul of the white paper it released.

According to him, “When you look at the white paper the Government released, the pre condition for the Aree of Iree was that the court case should be withdrawn.

“I didn’t try anybody to court, the regular chiefs took me to court on the basis that the appointment by the last administration of Gboyega Oyetola was illegal and that was the basis they took me to court, but the white paper says the chiefs should go and withdraw their case before another selection can be done

“What they did is against the white paper they issued, is a contempt of court because just about 24 hours when we heard that JUSUN called off strike and that they are resuming on Monday, was when the Government approved appointment of new king.

“So which court have they gone to, to withdraw case because if they are withdrawing their case I think they must apply to the court and the court must hear it and I must be served as well so I don’t know where they got the withdrawal approval.

“And if you read the release signed by the Commissioner, he said the warrant chiefs has withdrawn their case, warrant chief did not take me to court where do they see that one, it was regular chiefs that took me to court and they have not gone back to the court to withdraw that case.

“What they have done is total illegality. I still remain the Aree of Iree because the instrument of Aree is still with me, no court of competent jurisdiction has ever proclaimed that I am not the Aree even as at today.”

Also reacting to the Government action, the immediate past Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bayo Adeleke who said everything the Adeleke’s Government had done is in nullity as the case is still in court.

He said, “The case is still in High court in Ikirun. The judgment should have been done since December, 2023 but for JUSUN strike.”

Adeleke, who hails from the Iree, emphasised that Oba Ponle still remains the king of the town as far as the people of the town is concerned.

It would be recalled that a government White Paper in January, 2024, had nullified all previous steps taken in relation to the installation of Aree of Iree.

According to the White Paper, “all-inclusive selection process (es) for a new Aree of Iree, respectively, should commence immediately.

“Specifically on Aree of Iree Chieftaincy, the substantive chiefs are enjoined to withdraw their suit before the Court so as to allow for commencement of the selection process denovo in line with due process and tradition.”