Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been cautioned against installing a new traditional ruler in the coastal community of Araromi Seaside in Ilaje Local Council.

The Adetutewo Royal family, which kicked against the plan by the governor to give an instrument of office to a new monarch in the community, described the move as illegal.

In a letter addressed to Akeredolu, yesterday, through counsel to the family, Ige Ademudara, the royal family stressed that the alleged nomination of one Adeotoye Olawole as a traditional ruler would not be allowed.

He said the letter became necessary to notify the government of the order stopping it from issuing instruments of office to a new traditional ruler pending the outcome of the suit.

The council in the letter stated: “We remain counsel to Aheri Adetutewo Royal Family of Maporure of Aheriland and the entire Aheri Kingdom in Ilaje Local Council of Ondo State and we write in respect of the Obaship stool newly-created in Araromi.

“We hereby write to notify your Excellency of the order of interim injunction against your office, the entire executive council of Ondo State, the chieftaincy committee of llaje Local Council as well, as one Mr. Adeotoye Olawole who parades himself as having been approved as an Oba.

“We also hereby notify your office of the pendency of a motion on notice as well as the substantive suit on the subject matter. A copy of the said order of injunction is hereby attached.

“Therefore, kindly note that by the terms of the said order, the planned issuance of the instrument of office and swearing-in of an Oba in Araromi and anything relating thereof should be stopped pending the determination of the issues in the suit to which your office is also a party.

“We trust that your Excellency, who is a learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) that now sits in the public office as the governor, understands the implications of the order and you will do everything to protect the integrity of the judiciary.”

Meanwhile, an Ondo State High Court sitting in Okitipupa had earlier restrained the governor from installing and issuing instruments of office to a new traditional ruler in the community.

The order, given by Justice D. I. Kolawole, came in response to one Mr. Adeotoye Olawole who had been parading himself as having been approved as the traditional ruler of Araromi Seaside.

The suit, instituted by the head of the Aheri Adetufewa Royal family, Esanmbo Adaralegbe Asemudara, asked the court for an interim injunction to restrain the government from further action regarding the stool.

Also joined in the suit were Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the State Attorney-General, the state governor and the Ilaje Local Council Chairman. (The Guardian)

Update news