How Adeleke allegedly flouted constitution to appoint Aree of Iree

Fresh facts have emerged on how the governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke allegedly disregarded the rule of law in the appointment of the new Aree of Iree, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, Prince Muritala Oyelakin.

The stool of Aree had been vacant after Governor Adeleke sacked a traditional ruler appointed in Iree by his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, and accused the former governor of flouting due process and rushing to install monarchs after losing the 2022 governorship election in the state.

However, after about 14 months, Governor Adeleke issued a White Paper and ordered a fresh selection with a condition that the kingmakers and other aggrieved parties who had earlier dragged the state government to court over the appointment of one Ademola Ponle should withdraw their matters in court before the fresh selection process.

But, while the pending matter has yet to be withdrawn as directed owing to the strike embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Osun State branch, the state government proceeded with the fresh selection in contravention of the White Paper.

After the controversial fresh selection process on February 22, 2022, the kingmakers, it was gathered, proceeded to an Osun State High Court sitting in Ikirun on Monday, March 11, with an application of withdrawal of the pending matter sequel to the decision of JUSUN to call-off its over three months strike.

Also, Governor Adeleke contravened Section 20, sub section (2) of the Chief's Law (cap.25) Laws of Osun State, 2002 by approving the selection of Oyelakin before the statutory 21 days.

"The law says that after selection of a monarch might has been done, the governor shall not approve or set aside that selection until after 21 days. Recall that the selection of Oyelakin was made on February 22, 2024 while Governor Ademola approved it by issuing an approval letter to Oyelakin on March 6, 2024.

"This action by the governor makes the letter of approval illegal and a violation of the same law that Governor Adeleke swore to obey," one of the contestants to the Aree throne from Olubonku Ruling House, Prince Afolabi Ali stated.

"If Governor Adeleke accused former Governor Oyetola of not following the rule of law and breaching process, the governor has done worse by jettisoning the law including the White Paper he issued. This is grass injustice on the good people of Iree and it should not be allowed to stand."

Meanwhile, Afolabi has dragged Governor Adeleke and others before the court and sought for the nullification of the entire selection process, saying it was "a rape of the Constitution and complete fraud."

"To ensure that this injustice and breach of constitution do not stand, I have, through my lawyer, challenged the fresh selection in court. 

"We have filed a case against the Governor, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Prince Oyelakin, asking the court to declare the fresh selection as illegal and nullify it."

He maintained that the Boripe North local government area failed in its statutory duty to appoint warrant chiefs to replace the vacant kingmakers' position, saying that out of the four kingmakers alive, two voted while the other two voted in proxy, a situation that contravenes due process and rendered the entire process illegal and unacceptable.