…His installation now challenged in court.
By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin.
The decision of a traditional ruler in Kwara State to marry a suspected under-aged girl to meet a customary requirement to ascend the throne has sent tongues wagging in Oke Ero Local Government Area of the State.
Oba Olaniyan David Adekunle, the Elekan of Ekan town whose ascension to the throne on 4th January 2024 was said to have since attracted controversies was also said to as a pre-requisite to be crowned king married a suspected under- aged girl from outside the town as against the tradition and of Ekan but that if proved that the wife is truly under-aged, should be criminal in law.
This reporter was told that traditionally, such a new queen whose marriage should be part of the Elekan’s coronation ceremony would as from that day, attract a traditional title of ‘Abokoaye’ for life.
She is said by tradition, should be the favourite queen that would always be found around the king at all times but not to easily be accessible to outsiders except the palace aides.
During a visit to Ekan by this reporter, the king was said to be ‘out of town’ by the palace aides who on hearing that the unscheduled guest was a journalist, became skeptical refusing him to see the queen either.
Speaking with the natives of Ekan too was a herculean task. Those who volunteered to talk requested not to be quoted or be seen with this reporter in their own ‘interest’ but however said ‘Abokoaye’ who they referred to as ‘Olori’ had not been seen outside for quite a while which according to them, was causing apprehensions in the town.
Meanwhile, members of the Olufon Ruling House of Ekan town that produced Oba Olaniyan David Adekunle led by their ‘Elerebi’ (family head); as well as another prince; Olumuyiwa Johnson Olaifa had dragged the monarch to court challenging his selection process and the subsequent installation as king.
In a suit NO: KWS/44M/2024 between Prince Muyiwa Johnson Olaifa who sued as the selected candidate from their ruling house to fill the vacant position of the Elekan of Ekan alongside Mr. Simeon Bamidele Olaniyan; the family head were praying the court to quash the enthronement of Oba Olaniyan Adekunle.
Their prayers included an order of certiorari to quash a “purported appointment and installation” of the Oba.
Joined in the suit as respondents were; Governor of Kwara State; Attorney General of the State; Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Develppment; Oke Ero Local Government Traditional Council and Chief Michael Oyinloye; who is the Obajemo of Ekan (Head of Ekan Kingmakers).
They also asked the court to quash the installation of the king because according to them, Oba Olaniyan had earlier in September 2021 been installed by the Oke Ero Local Government Traditional Council a development thin contravened the extant provisions of Section 13(1) and (6) of the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law of Kwara State.
According to them, it was the duty of the Kwara State Government to first appoint a traditional ruler in accordance with the Chieftaincy laws of the state before he could be installed, a provision in law that the Oba in the circumstance had breached.
The applicants in the suit also urged the court to declare that the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development who allegedly orchestrated the installation of Oba David Adekunle was not one of the Recognized Authorities under the State Chiefs Appointment and Deposition Law which calls for the quashing of such act.
They therefore called for the withdrawal and nullification of the appointment and installation of the Oba. Instead, issue a new letter of Appointment to Prince Muyiwa Olaifa as the only candidate from Onifon Ruling House who signified his interest for the throne to Onifon Ruling House and the only nominated candidate by the Ruling House for the kingmakers’ consideration and selection for the Vacant Elekan stool.