The Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode has returned a suit filed by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House over the suspended selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland to the administrative judge for reassignment.

Justice A. A. Omoniyi, the vacation judge handling the case in Court 3, made the interim order on Wednesday, citing his impending annual vacation.

Omoniyi said he would proceed on vacation within a week and might not resume until January 2027, making it impractical for him to continue handling the case despite recognising its urgency.

The suit, numbered HCJ/149/2026, was filed on August 21, 2026, against Governor Dapo Abiodun, the nine kingmakers and other defendants over the stoppage of the process for selecting the next Awujale.

The judge consequently directed that the case file be returned to the administrative judge for reassignment. He adjourned the matter until September 23 for further hearing.

Earlier, counsel to the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Olusegun Otayemi, told the court that all 15 defendants had been served with the suit and that his clients were ready to proceed.

However, counsel representing the kingmakers, Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, said the defendants were still within the period allowed to respond and would file their processes within the stipulated time.

A state counsel, W. A. Onawole, also appeared for Governor Abiodun, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and four other defendants.

The kingmakers were present in court, led by Olorogun (Dr.) Sunny Kuku, co-founder of EKO Hospital and the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland.

Also present were the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi; his deputy, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba; and vice-chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf.