Okeigbo Oba Installation: Court Declares Process Illegal, Vows to Uphold Judicial Sanctity
Lawyer denies existence of government appointment letter
– Government counsel absent in court
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has declared that the ongoing installation rites of the Oba of Okeigbo remain illegal.
The appellate court, reacting to an application filed by counsel to the appellant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), emphasized that any action taken in defiance of the court’s authority would be rendered null and void, stressing that “the sanctity of the court must always be respected.”
Ojo, through an application dated November 2, 2025, informed the court of a letter purportedly issued by the Ondo State Government approving the appointment of Prince Felix Akintoye Adeoye as the Oluoke of Okeigbo.
He urged the court to take judicial notice that, following such an appointment, further traditional rites, including installation, would typically take place.
Consequently, he prayed the court to issue a restraining and consequential order nullifying any actions carried out on the strength of the alleged appointment letter.
Ojo also asked the court to invoke its disciplinary powers to reverse any illegality that may have occurred.
In his response, counsel to the respondent, Sola Ebiseni, openly denied the existence of the said appointment letter, insisting that he did not believe it emanated from the state government.
He therefore sought a short adjournment to verify the authenticity of the document and prepare a formal response to the appellant’s application.
Delivering its ruling, the Court of Appeal held that any installation process currently underway was “founded on illegality”, reiterating that the integrity of the judiciary must be preserved at all times.
The court further directed that a hearing notice be served on the Ondo State Government and adjourned the matter to Tuesday, November 11, 2025 for further hearing.