The long-running chieftaincy dispute over the Alakenne of Ikenne stool has taken a fresh turn, as renowned legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olumide Sofowora, has formally called on the Ogun State Government to immediately commence the process of filling the vacant traditional stool in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
Sofowora is leading the legal team representing Prince Yomi Ademola Adeyiga-Odeneye MCIPR, who challenged Prince Mosudi Adeyinka Onakade’s eligibility to occupy the Alakenne stool and won at the Supreme Court.
In a series of letters dated June 4 and June 16, 2026, addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Sofowora reminded the government of its constitutional and legal obligation to implement the apex court’s decision delivered on April 24, 2026.
According to the letters, the Supreme Court affirmed the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, which declared the nomination, selection and appointment of Prince Mosudi Adeyinka Onakade as Alakenne of Ikenne illegal, null and void.
The apex court also upheld the validity of the Alakenne of Ikenne Chieftaincy Declaration Edict of 1998 as the governing instrument for the selection of the traditional ruler.
The judgment further set aside every approval granted to Prince Onakade and restrained him from parading himself as the Alakenne of Ikenne.
The judgment further set aside every approval granted to Prince Onakade and restrained him from parading himself as the Alakenne of Ikenne.
Although the Supreme Court held that he could participate in any future selection process, it maintained that his previous appointment had no legal effect.
Sofowora’s chambers also emphasized that the Supreme Court’s decision rendered all actions taken during Prince Onakade’s occupancy of the stool invalid, including appointments of chiefs allegedly made under his authority.
Sofowora’s chambers also emphasized that the Supreme Court’s decision rendered all actions taken during Prince Onakade’s occupancy of the stool invalid, including appointments of chiefs allegedly made under his authority.
The letters warned that continued recognition of Prince Onakade or any chiefs appointed through his purported authority could amount to contempt of court.
The legal correspondence stated that the Court of Appeal had directed that another selection process be conducted from the appropriate ruling house entitled to produce the next Alakenne.
The legal correspondence stated that the Court of Appeal had directed that another selection process be conducted from the appropriate ruling house entitled to produce the next Alakenne.
While the Supreme Court modified aspects of that decision by allowing Prince Onakade to contest future selections, it upheld the nullification of his previous appointment.
In urging immediate compliance, Sofowora informed the state government that the Obara Ruling House is the ruling house entitled to present the next candidate for the vacant stool.
In urging immediate compliance, Sofowora informed the state government that the Obara Ruling House is the ruling house entitled to present the next candidate for the vacant stool.
He identified Prince Obasola Soneye of 6, Ilishan Road, Behind Ikenne Market, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, as the current head of the Obara Ruling House.
The chambers noted that Ikenne-Remo has been without a substantive Alakenne for 42 years, following the demise of the last undisputed traditional ruler, Oba Gilbert Akindoyin Awomuti, in 1984.
The chambers noted that Ikenne-Remo has been without a substantive Alakenne for 42 years, following the demise of the last undisputed traditional ruler, Oba Gilbert Akindoyin Awomuti, in 1984.
It described the prolonged vacancy as an anomaly that should now be resolved in accordance with the Supreme Court’s judgment and the provisions of the Ogun State Chiefs Law (as amended).
The letters appealed to Governor Abiodun to direct the Secretary of Ikenne Local Government to issue the statutory notice required to commence the selection process, thereby enabling the Obara Ruling House to nominate a candidate for the revered throne.
Copies of the correspondence were acknowledged by the Office of the Governor, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Ikenne Local Government, indicating that the relevant authorities have received the requests.
Sofowora concluded by expressing confidence that the Ogun State Government would abide by the Supreme Court’s judgment, warning that any act inconsistent with the decision could expose the relevant officials to contempt proceedings.
The development is expected to reignite discussions among stakeholders in Ikenne-Remo as residents anticipate the commencement of the long-awaited process that could finally produce a substantive Alakenne after more than four decades.
The letters appealed to Governor Abiodun to direct the Secretary of Ikenne Local Government to issue the statutory notice required to commence the selection process, thereby enabling the Obara Ruling House to nominate a candidate for the revered throne.
Copies of the correspondence were acknowledged by the Office of the Governor, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Ikenne Local Government, indicating that the relevant authorities have received the requests.
Sofowora concluded by expressing confidence that the Ogun State Government would abide by the Supreme Court’s judgment, warning that any act inconsistent with the decision could expose the relevant officials to contempt proceedings.
The development is expected to reignite discussions among stakeholders in Ikenne-Remo as residents anticipate the commencement of the long-awaited process that could finally produce a substantive Alakenne after more than four decades.
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