Court Throws Out KWAM 1’s Bid to Halt Selection of New Awujale
An Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode has dismissed an application filed by Fuji music icon, Otunba Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde (KWAM 1), who sought to stop the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
While the court refused to grant an interim injunction to halt the proceedings, the trial judge, Justice A. A. Omoniyi, ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit, scheduling it to begin on January 14, 2026.
KWAM 1, a member of the Fidipote Ruling House, approached the court to challenge the exclusivity of the current selection phase.
He is questioning why the selection committee limited the process to the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, arguing that his own ruling house should be considered.
The lawsuit (Suit No: HC3/238/2025) alleges that the current succession process violates his constitutional rights and breaches the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law.
The suit names Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House (Otunba Lateef Owoyemi), and several local government and chieftaincy officials.
In a significant development following the court challenge, the Ogun State Government has cancelled the ongoing selection process.
Prof. Fassy Yusuf, Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, confirmed that the government decided to restart the process to avoid potential future litigation.
“The government wants to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law regarding the installation of the Awujale,” Yusuf stated, noting that procedural errors needed to be corrected to ensure a valid transition.
Despite the court’s refusal to grant the injunction, the legal battle is far from over. The dismissal of the application simply means the court did not see an immediate need to “freeze” the process via an emergency order, especially given the government’s decision to restart.
The focus now shifts to January 14, 2026, when the court will examine the legality of the succession guidelines and determine which ruling houses are eligible to present candidates for the vacant throne.
