The Osun State government yesterday announced the postponement of the presentation of the Staff of Office to the newly appointed Aree of Iree, Oba Muritala Oyelakin.
The state government clarified that the development was informed by a court order which granted an ex parte motion stopping the presentation of the staff of office to the monarch.
Recall that an Osun State High Court, presided over by Justice M.O Awe, had last Friday granted an order on an ex parte motion brought before it by the sacked Aree of Iree, Oba Raphael Ponle Ademola
The court also barred the state government from taking any further steps in formally installing Oyelakin as the Aree of Iree pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The claimant in the suit marked HOS/20/2024, listed the Governor of Osun State, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Osun State, Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Boripe North Local Government Area, Chief Sobalaje Alao (the Osolo of Iree land), Chief Saliu Atoyebi (the Aogun of Iree land), Chief Sanusi Babawale (the Innurin of Iree land), Chief James Adebisi Bankole (the Jagun of Iree land) and Prince Muritala Oyelakin as defendants.
Therefore, the state government yesterday put on hold the presentation of the staff of office to Oba Oyelakin. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, the government said: “In line with its avowed commitment and adherence to the rule of law, the state government has postponed, until further notice, the formal presentation of staff of office and instrument of appointment to Oba Muritala Oyelakin, the newly appointed Aree of Iree.
“Following an Osun State High Court’s ex-parte ruling presided over by Justice M. O Awe against the presentation of Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty Oba Muritala Oyelakin as the Aree of Iree, the government wishes to implore the monarch and the good people of Iree to remain calm and be law abiding.
“We want to state unequivocally that the status quo remains as the presentation of staff and instrument of appointment that would have been held today, May 4, 2024, is merely ceremonial and does not in any way invalidate the earlier approval granted Oba Oyelakin as the substantive Aree of Iree as approved by the Governor Ademola Adeleke-led Osun State Executive Council.
“It must also be noted that the Osun State government and Oba Muritala Oyelakin were not in court when the order was sought for and granted by the court.
“The order having been therefore granted, the Osun State government under the leadership of Senator Ademola Adeleke has accordingly directed the Osun State Ministry of Justice to do the needful with a view to ensuring that the interim order is discharged forthwith.
the matter is still pending, which, according to the Ministry of Justice takes only a few days, the presentation of the staff of office/instrument of appointment slated for today is hereby put on hold because of the ardent belief and commitment of Senator Ademola Adeleke to the rule of law.”
