The BY: News Peddlers
 |
| Governor of Ogun State Dapo Abiodun and HRM Yisa Olusola Olaniyan Onipokiya of Ipokiya Kingdom |
A ruling House in Ipokia, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, has warned Governor Dapo Abiodun to stop supporting Yisa Olusola Olaniyan, who continues to parade himself as the Onipokia of Ipokia despite a court order ordering his dethronement in March 2022.
In a fresh letter dated December 13, 2022 and seen by Peoples Gazette, the Iwaye-Dodo royal family referenced Justice O. Ogunfowora's judgement issued on March 3, 2022 which ordered Mr Olaniyan to vacate the royal stool pending the "hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for injunction" filed by Adebola Asade, Adepegba Asade and Akinleye Alaba Asade, all princes and princess of the royal family.
The selection of Mr Olaniyan as the monarch had been disputed in a statement of claim dated May 30, 2019, also seen by People Gazette.
Knowing his selection was being contested, Mr Olaniyan had dubiously sought the backing of the Ogun State government under Mr Abiodun's administration to be crowned the traditional ruler of Ipokia on August 19, 2020 despite the case being in court.
Mr Olaniyan's hasty installation, interpreted as an attempt to outwit the court, was subsequently thwarted by Justice Ogunfowora.
"The approval of the appointment of the 11th Defendant by the 1st - 3rd Defendants is hereby set aside pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants' application for Interlocutory Injunction filed on 1st June, 2020," reads the ruling issued in March 2022.
His dethronement meant he could no longer live in the two palaces designated for the Onipokia of Ipokia or participate in festivities as king, according to ruling house lawyers.
In spite of the ruling, Mr Olaniyan continued to illegally portray himself as the Onipokia, according to the letter sent to the office of Ogun governor
"However, despite the above court order, Yisa Olusola Olaniyan has continued to carry-out the functions and duties as Onipokia of Ipokia in flagrant disobedience of the valid and subsisting order of the High Court of Ogun State," reads the letter addressed to Mr Abiodun.
His attitude toward the ruling, combined with Mr Abiodun's administration's support, prompted the ruling house to issue a warning to anyone assisting Mr Olaniyan in flagrantly disobeying a court order.
"We wish to further warn anyone who violates an existing order of a Court of competent jurisdiction that we will invoke the full force of the law to proceed against them, and contempt proceedings will be initiated immediately with a view to sending such person(s) to jail for flagrant disobedience of a valid and subsisting order of the High Court of Ogun State," the letter stated.
The petitioners also suggested that the palace in Ipokia's Market Square and the mini palace at the Iwaye-Dodo ruling family house be immediately sealed off.
The petitioners also suggested that the palace in Ipokia's Market Square and the mini palace at the Iwaye-Dodo ruling family house be immediately sealed off. They claim that this will prevent a breakdown in law and order.
Mr. Abiodun was also asked to stop Mr. Olaniyan from "further parading himself as Onipokia of Ipokia or performing the function(s) or duties of Onipokia of Ipokia (pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Injunction, as contained in the order of Court)."
They also urged Mr. Abiodun to deploy all "security officers and officers from all other agencies in the State to enforce the Court's order and prevent a breakdown in law and order in Ipokialand."