An Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa has refused to stop the coronation of the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Haastrup, scheduled for Friday.
Justice M. Agboola, at Thursday’s proceedings on the case filed by the Arimoro family of Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, held that until the issues around service of court process on the first respondent, Haastrup, were sorted, the application stopping the coronation should not proceed.
Oba Haastrup, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, and the Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, as well as, the Ilesa kingmakers, had been dragged before the court by Arimoro in a suit number HL/8/25.
At the day’s proceedings, counsel for the claimant, Oyebola Odeleye, informed the court of a pending application that was already ripe for hearing, seeking to stop Haastrup’s coronation, urging the court to allow him to move it.
But Muyiwa Ogunleye, a Chief State Counsel, representing Adeleke and the two commissioners joined in the suit, drew the attention of the court to an application filed by Oluwasesan Dada, the counsel for the first respondent, Oba Haastrup, seeking to set aside service of the claimant’s process on his client.
The state counsel said Dada, who was not available at the day’s proceedings, having written to take permission to be absent due to another matter coming up before the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, at the penultimate hearing, claimed his client was not properly served with the claimant’s application.
Ogunleye said Dada informed the court that Haastrup was already in seclusion and was not accessible at the time the claimant said the process was served on him.
In his ruling, Justice Agboola subsequently held that the issue of service must first be resolved before the application seeking to stop the coronation can be heard, and adjourned the matter till July 3 for hearing of all pending applications.
“It’s so sad that these pleadings were extended over four months instead of 60 days. Both parties have not been serious about the case.
“However, until when pending application has been addressed, it will be unwise for the court to grant the interlocutory injunction,” Agboola said.
Meanwhile, Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Osun Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps has said adequate number of operatives have been deployed for the coronation of Oba Haastrup.
Oba Haastrup’s coronation holding on Friday at Obokungbusi Hall, Ilesa, with the reception taking place on the premises of Ilesa Grammar School, Ilesa is expected to be attended by dignitaries across the country and beyond.
To ensure protection of lives and property during the ceremonies, Osun NSCDC in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, sought cooperation of the attendees to have hitch-free ceremonies.
“The command under the leadership of Commandant Igbalawole Sotiyo is working closely with other sister agencies to ensure comprehensive security arrangements for the coronation of the Owa Obokun Adimula, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, which holds on 23rd May 2025.
“In anticipation of a large turnout, NSCDC has deployed a significant number of personnel to manage the crowd, prevent disruptions, and ensure the safety of dignitaries and attendees.
“NSCDC patrol teams are already on the ground, maintaining a visible presence to deter potential security threats,” the statement read in parts.
She urged individuals with criminal intentions to stay clear of the event area, or face full wrath of the law.
Commenting in similar vein, the Osun Sector Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Agnes Ogungbemi, said the command had deployed operatives to routes around the venues of the ceremonies to ensure easy vehicular and human movement.
The Punch
