A petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies has raised concerns over attempts to install a new monarch in Iree, despite ongoing legal proceedings and the existing custodianship of Ọba Raphael Oluponle.
The letter by Adeoye Galadima & Associates on behave of Oba Oluponle highlighted that the instrument of his appointment remains valid, as no court of law has voided its issuance by the government.
The monarch has accused the Osun State Government and Boripe Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) of directing the Kingmakers in Iree Community to choose the new Aare of Iree on Thursday, despite an ongoing case before the Osun State High Court.
Reports indicate that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has approved the report on the selection of the new Aare and has instructed the Kingmakers to proceed with the selection on Thursday, under the supervision of officials from Boripe North LCDA.
The monarch disclosed that Boripe North LCDA Chairman, Jamiu Adedokun, had convened a meeting of ruling houses in Iree on February 13th and informed them that any interested candidate in the Aare stool has until Friday, February 16th, to purchase a new nomination form from the local government as directed by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
ALSO READ: Nationwide protest: Stop taking unilateral decision in Nigerian workers’ interest, TUC tells NLC
Citing relevant legal provisions, including Section 21(2) of the Chiefs Law of Osun State Cap 25, 2002, and sections of the Criminal Code Act, the petition emphasized that any attempt to challenge the authority of a custodian of the instrument of appointment is considered criminal and punishable by law.
Furthermore, the petition urges law enforcement agencies to prevent anarchy and maintain order in the town.
The petition underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and calls upon the police to fulfil their constitutional duty in ensuring compliance with legal processes. It emphasizes the commitment of the petitioner to peaceful and lawful actions while urging the authorities to safeguard the laws and restore order in the area.
The letter read in part: “Up until the present date, the custodian of the Aare of Iree instrument of appointment is Ọba Raphael Oluponle, and as of now, no court of law has invalidated its issuance to the monarch by the government. Interestingly, the said white paper has never directed the withdrawal of the instrument of appointment from the monarch, while the pending suit No HIK/39/2022 – Chief Olufemi Afolabi and four others Vs Governor of Osun and five others, has not been withdrawn at the time of writing this petition.
“Surprisingly, in February 2024, some officers of this local government and others, including Hon Jamiu Adedokun Tunde, the local government Chairman, Hon Bamigbola Jide, Secretary, and Hon Dosu Babatunde, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs among others, suddenly commenced another process to install a new monarch in Iree, notwithstanding the pendency of the suit and without the withdrawal of the instrument of appointment issued to the monarch by the same government.
“This action violates Section 21 (2) of the Chiefs Law of Osun State Cap 25, 2002., section 249 (D) of the Criminal Code Act., section 518(1,6 and 7) of Criminal Code Act., which states that any attempt to impugn on the authority of a custodian of the instrument of appointment is criminal and liable to imprisonment, and the same section empowers the security agencies to do the needful to prevent anarchy in the town.”
“It is on this premises that we are urging the police and other security agents to enforce the law and order in respect of their constitutional responsibility while our client will remain peaceful and law-abiding, but the police has the responsibility to protect our laws and restore sanity in the area.” The letter read.
Meanwhile, the ruling houses in Iree had previously objected to a fresh process, describing it as “contempt of court and gross violation of the government white paper.” They highlighted the inability of the parties to withdraw the case in court due to the ongoing Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN) strike and insisted that no process could commence without the withdrawal of the case in court.
A copy of the letter obtained reads, “Kindly be informed that we, the Ruling Houses invited by your office, have decided to restrain ourselves from doing anything that is contrary to the law and the White Paper.
“The white paper made it compulsory for the kingmakers to withdraw the case in court before a new selection process can kickstart, and as of today, 13th of February 2024, courts in Osun state remain shut down due to the JUSUN strike. How did you now withdraw the case in court? In addition, the lawsuit instituted over the matter is still pending, and it amounts to contempt of court to kickstart a new selection process.”
When contacted for a reaction, the chairman of the LCDA, Adedokun, declined to speak on the matter.
