An Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso has invalidated the selection of Oba Ghandi Olaoye as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.
Oba Ghandi Olaoye was crowned as the new Soun of Ogbomosho on September 8, 2023, filling the vacancy left by the late Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, who passed away on December 12, 2021, after a remarkable 48-year rule.
The court ruling came after Prince Kabir Olaoye, one of the contenders for the throne, contested Ghandi’s appointment and raised concerns about the legitimacy of the selection process.
In the lawsuit bearing the mark HOG/27/2022, Prince Kabir alleged irregularities in the procedure that led to Oba Ghandi Olaoye’s emergence as the Soun of Ogbomosho.
Justice Kareem Adedokun ruled in favor of Prince Kabir Olaoye, stating that the process leading to Ghandi’s appointment was marred by illegalities.
The judge declared that Ghandi was not validly nominated by the Laoye Ruling House and deemed the entire process, including the nomination, approval by the state government, and installation by the kingmakers, null and void.
Consequently, the judge granted Prince Kabir Olaoye’s plea to set aside the nomination and ordered a fresh selection process.
In response to the ruling, a source from the palace assured the public that the decision would be challenged in an appeal.
“The case will definitely be appealed and so people should not fret. In the case instituted by Prince Olaoye, the judge said the process was proper and valid, but now the same process is faulted. It is conflicting; the Appeal Court will resolve that. People should be calm,” the palace source said.
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