The Onifiditi of Fiditi, Oyo State, Oba Sakirudeen Oyelere, has appealed against the ruling of an Oyo State High Court, which nullified his appointment as the Onifiditi of Fiditi.
Recall that Justice K. B. Olawoyin, had set aside the appointment of Oba Oyelere, while ruling on a suit marked IHOY/59/2013, filed by two applicants, Prince Samuel Ogunkunle and Bayo Oyewale against the traditional ruler and seven others.
The other respondents in the suit at the lower court are Prince Ademola Akande, Prince Depo Oguntoyin, Prince Kunle Oniyitan, Oyo State governor, Commissioners for Justice and Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and Chief Adebola.
Justice Olawoyin in his ruling granted an order of mandatory injunction setting aside the selection, appointment and presentation of staff of office to Oba Sakirudeen as the Onifiditi by the Oyo State Governor on October 18, 2021.
The judge also granted an order restraining the defendants and their agents from taking any further actions, steps or proceedings towards or in pursuance of filling of the vacant stool of Onifiditi of Fiditi pending the determination of this suit.
The court also awarded a cost of N200,000 in favour of the applicants against the defendants and adjourned the suit to May 22. However, in the notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal Ibadan Division, Onifiditi’s, counsel, Mr Femi Alamu, contended that the lower court erred by setting aside the selection and appointment of Oba Sakirudeen as Onifiditi of Fiditi.
According to the counsel, the judge failed to consider that the governor has powers to upgrade and jettison the Baaleship, which had been in contention among the people of the town and create a new kingship title, which has now put an end to the problem in Fiditi town.
The counsel, therefore, urged the court to set aside the ruling of the lower court, which nullified the selection and appointment of Oba Sakirudeen as the Onifiditi of Fiditi. Meanwhile, the matter is yet to be assigned to a judge.
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