Appeal Court orders Olomodulawe of Ilawe Ekiti to vacate seat

An Appeal Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has voided the installation of Chief Idowu Ibiowotisi as the Olomodulawe of Ilawe Ekiti and ordered him to stop parading himself as the recognized Chief of Oke Emo Quarters of Ilawe Ekiti.

The appellate court also restrained the paramount monarch of the town, Oba Adebanji Alabi, who is the 5th respondents and Chief Gbenga Agbona, the 2nd respondent in the suit from recognizing Ibiowotisi as the Olomodulawe of Oke Emo Quarters, Ilawe Ekiti.

The Olomodilawe chieftancy title in Ilawe Ekiti is rotational among three branches including Gbadamosi, Fatimehin and Fajemisin.

Ibiowotisi of Fatimehin Branch, who is the first respondent was installed after the demise of Chief Zacheus Fatimehin of th same branch.

The appellants had challenged the eligibility of the 1st respondent at the Ekiti High Court but the trial court delivered judgment on the matter on 19th October 2016 by striking out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

However, dissatisfied with the judgment of the trial court, the appellants lodged instant appeal against the judgment at the Appeal Court.

In her lead judgment, Justice Fatima Omoro Akinbami declared that it was the turn of the Fajemuyin branch of the Olomodulawe to produce a candidate for the Olomodulawe title after the demise of late Chief Zacbaeus Fatimehin of Fatimehin branch.

The Judge said, “I declare that the purported nomination, and installation of the 1st defendant as Olomodulawe by the 2nd defendant is against the nature law and custom as well as the applicable Chiefs Law.

“I hereby set aside the purported nomination and installation of the first defendant as Olomodulawe and ordered that the 2nd and 6th defendants are to immediately commence the nomination exercise for filling of the vacant stool of Olomodilawe Chieftaincy.”

The judge held: “I am satisfied that the appellants placed enough evidence both in oral and documentary before the trial court in proving their case. I therefore have no hesitation in granting all the reliefs sought by the appellants.”