Supreme Court Removes Oba Onakade, Declares Alakenne of Ikenne Throne Vacant

Ademola Busayo Posted on 3 hours ago 2 minutes read

The Supreme Court on Friday nullified the installation of Oba Mosudi Adeyinka Onakade as the Alakenne of Ikenne and declared the stool vacant, ending years of legal tussle over the Ikenne Remo throne.

In a unanimous judgment by a five-member panel, the apex court held that the process that produced Oba Onakade violated the Chiefs Law of Ogun State and the registered declaration guiding the Alakenne chieftaincy.

The Court ordered a fresh selection process to be conducted in strict compliance with the law and customary procedure regulating the ruling houses in Ikenne.

The decision sets aside earlier judgments of the High Court and Court of Appeal which had upheld Oba Onakade’s installation in 2023. It is being interpreted as a major legal win for Prince Yomi Ademola Adeyiga-Adeneye, who initiated the suit challenging the process.

Background

The dispute began after the demise of the last Alakenne, when multiple ruling houses presented candidates. Oba Onakade was installed with the approval of the Ogun State Government, but Prince Adeyiga-Adeneye approached the court, alleging exclusion of entitled houses and breach of the chieftaincy declaration.

Implications

Stool Vacant: Oba Onakade ceases to be recognized as Alakenne. The stool remains vacant pending a new process.
No Automatic Successor: The Supreme Court did not declare Prince Adeyiga-Adeneye Oba. It only nullified the flawed process.
Next Steps: The Ikenne Council of Chiefs, local government, and Ogun State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs are expected to convene and restart nominations in line with the judgment.

Counsel to Prince Adeyiga-Adeneye said the judgment “upheld due process and the sanctity of custom.”

As of press time, Oba Onakade’s camp had not issued a statement. The Ogun State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs said it would review the Certified True Copy of the judgment before issuing directives.

Community leaders in Ikenne have appealed for calm, saying the ruling offers a chance to unite the town through a transparent selection.