An Ondo State High Court in Akure has ordered the State Executive Council to halt any approval of a new Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre pending the resolution of an ongoing legal dispute.
Justice F.S. Akinbinu issued the restraining order in a suit filed by the Akinboro Family of the Lagokun Ruling House, who are challenging the state government’s decision to appoint warrant chiefs to oversee the selection of a new monarch.
The suit, marked HCAK/558/CIV/2025 and filed on December 31, 2025, argues that the appointment of warrant chiefs violated Section 9 of the Chiefs Law. According to the claimants, warrant chiefs can only be appointed where existing kingmakers are unable to form a quorum due to death—conditions they insist do not apply in this case.
The family maintained that the recognised kingmakers had already met, formed the required quorum, and selected Otunba Ademola Akinboro-Akingbaso as the rightful candidate to ascend the throne, in line with the ruling house’s rotational arrangement.
During proceedings on February 4, 2026, counsel to the Akinboro Family, Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, informed the court that despite the pending suit and an application seeking to stop the process, the warrant chiefs allegedly proceeded to appoint Chief Ayo Akinnadeju at a meeting reportedly boycotted by the legitimate kingmakers.
Lawyers representing the warrant chiefs and Akinnadeju confirmed that a new Aladeokun had been appointed but opposed any attempt to restrain the Executive Council from approving the decision.
Counsel to the recognised kingmakers distanced them from the actions of the warrant chiefs and did not oppose an order preserving the status quo, while the Ondo State Government requested time to respond to the injunction application.
In his ruling, Justice Akinbinu directed all parties to maintain the status quo and expressly barred the State Executive Council from approving Akinnadeju’s appointment. He also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned proceedings to February 18, 2026.
Reacting to the ruling, Emodamori described the decision as fair and decisive, saying it reaffirmed the judiciary’s role as the guardian of justice and expressed satisfaction on behalf of his clients.
