18th February, 2011
An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo this morning sacked the newly installed Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olaonipekun Larooye II.
Justice A. A. Aderibigbe delivered the judgement this morning.
An aggrieved prince had contested the selection of the deposed Ataoja, and approached the court to seek redress.
Details of the ruling was sketchy as at the time of going to the press this afternoon.
The deposed Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olaonipekun Larooye II succeeded Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi III who was Ataoja of Osogbo from 1976 till 4 August, 2010 when he joined his ancestors at the age of 75.
About a month later, the Osogbo kingmakers selected Prince Jimoh Oyetunji who scored four votes, Prince Leo Awoyemi, three votes and Prince Adebisi Kayode, one vote.
The then Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, approved the kingmakersâ€
However, some Osogbo indigenes including the contestants accused the Oyinlola administration of doctoring the selection process for political reasons.
Lawyer and rights activist Amitolu Shittu was one of those who condemned it.
He said, “Osogbo would be the worse for it because political consideration dominated the process. I donâ€
—Amos Fabiyi