There is tension in Iloro-Ekiti following a Court of Appeal judgment ordering the removal of the Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti, Oba James Oluwafemi Olugbesoye.
The judgment, delivered virtually via Zoom on Monday, August 31, 2026, affirmed an earlier decision of the Ekiti State High Court which removed the monarch from the throne.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Falade Olasunkanmi, said the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment is expected to be released today, Thursday.
“The court affirmed the High Court judgment in its entirety. That is just it — deposing him,” Falade said.
He described the mood in the town as jubilant.
“The people are happy. That is the will of the people. That is what they want,” he added.
According to Falade, the Appeal Court did not fault the selection and appointment process, but the failure to perform traditional rites.
“The State Government’s cross-appeal was that he has been appointed. The Court of Appeal is not arguing that his appointment was not properly done. He was well appointed, but he did not perform traditional rites in line with the native laws and customs of Iloro-Ekiti, and that is the prerequisite for him to become a king. Oba Olugbesoye agreed that he did not perform traditional rites in line with the native laws and customs,” Falade said.
Defence Faults Verdict, Appeals to Supreme Court
Meanwhile, counsel to Oba Olugbesoye, Ezekiel Agunbiade, has faulted the verdict of the court, saying his team was yet to receive the CTC of the judgment.
“I don’t want us to talk too much for now because we are yet to get a copy of the judgment. But we listened to the judgment as a team, and the basis upon which the court, according to what was read to us, is that the court confirmed that Oba Olugbesoye was properly selected and appointed, but there is no sufficient evidence to show that he actually underwent both the rites and the ceremony,” Agunbiade said.
He also faulted the court’s position on lack of pictorial evidence.
“The court was even particular about the fact that there is no evidence of any invitation letter and pictures, aside from the fact that no other person testified, which is not true. The Kabiyesi tendered about 32 photographic evidences,” he said.
Agunbiade confirmed that the monarch has appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court and filed an application for a stay of execution.
“We filed a notice of appeal on the same day, and we filed a stay of execution on the morning of the second day after the Appeal Court judgment was delivered. By law, the court has within seven days to oblige us the Certified True Copy,” he stated.
‘I Am Shocked’ — Olugbesoye
In his reaction, Oba Olugbesoye expressed shock at the verdict, insisting that those who instituted the case lacked locus standi.
“I am surprised, just as my lawyers and everybody, and even those in government circles, are surprised. Those who sued me, ordinarily, their case ought to have been dismissed from the trial court, because they are not kingmakers. They are not candidates. They don’t have any role at all to play,” the monarch said.
He maintained that he fulfilled all traditional requirements and that his coronation was well attended and documented.
“We tendered every document, including pictures from installation and coronation. In fact, I was coronated in Iloro-Ekiti. I was the only Oba who was coronated in Iloro-Ekiti during COVID-19. That of the Oore of Otun, which followed mine, was done in Ado-Ekiti. The Deputy Governor came. The late Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, Afuntade I, was the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers at the time. More than 40 Obas were present at my installation. Even the present Governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, was the Secretary to the State Government at the time. I have pictures of his presence at my coronation. The then Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, was the one who gave me the staff of office,” he said.
On the issue of rites performed at the Ajero’s palace, the monarch explained that the traditions of Ijero and Iloro-Ekiti are intertwined.
“There is no way we can do without the traditions of both Ijero and Iloro-Ekiti. Both towns and communities are intertwined. From history, the first Oluloro did part of his traditional rites in Ijero-Ekiti. There are also traditional rites that Kabiyesi Ajero must also do in Iloro-Ekiti,” he said.
He also disclosed that the candidate presented by the opposing side is deceased and scheduled for burial today.
Appeal court sacks Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti, monarch heads to Supreme Court