- A group of Oyo princes had instituted a suit seeking court orders restraining the Alaafin from actions they described as unbecoming of the throne
- The claimants sought declarations affirming the Alaafin as the paramount ruler and custodian of Yoruba cultural heritage
- The court was expected to fix a hearing date as no official response had been issued by the Alaafin’s palace at the time of filing
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has been summoned before a State High Court sitting in Oyo Town following a suit instituted against him by a group of princes from the ancient town, raising fresh legal and cultural questions about the status, conduct and authority of one of Yorubaland’s most revered traditional stools.
The suit, filed under number HOY/18/2026, was instituted by the claimants, Ladigbolu Adegboyega, Owoade Tesleem, Adeyemi Adesina and Adeyemi Adebayo. The princes are asking the court to compel the Alaafin to enter an appearance either personally or through legal representation in response to their claims.
At the heart of the suit is a request for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Oba Owoade, either by himself, his servants, privies or any other persons acting on his behalf, from appearing at or attending functions and public engagements which the claimants argue are not befitting the status of the Alaafin as a symbolic and paramount traditional head of the Yoruba race.
The claimants further sought an order restraining the Alaafin from acting in any traditional or official capacity that would portray him as subservient or inferior to any other Oba in Yorubaland. According to them, such conduct undermines the historic dignity and pre-eminence traditionally associated with the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo.
In addition to the injunctions, the princes are asking the court to make several declaratory pronouncements on the significance of the Alaafin’s office. They are seeking a declaration that the stool of the Alaafin of Oyo, currently occupied by Oba Owoade, is of immense historical importance not only to Yorubaland but also to Nigeria, West Africa and the wider global community.
They also want the court to declare that the Alaafin of Oyo remains the symbol of unity, togetherness and the principal custodian of the cultural, customary and traditional heritage of the Yoruba people.
Further reliefs sought include a declaration that the Alaafin is the paramount ruler and appointing authority over all chieftaincy titles in Oyo Town, as well as across Oyo North and Oyo South.
According to the writ of summons, the defendant is required to enter an appearance within the time stipulated by law. The Alaafin may do so personally or through his legal practitioners by filing the appropriate documents at the registry of the High Court in the judicial division where the action was instituted. Alternatively, the documents may be transmitted to the registry via registered post.
The case is expected to attract widespread attention across Yorubaland and beyond, given the historical weight of the Alaafin’s office and its central role in Yoruba culture, tradition and political history.
As at the time of filing this report, no official response had been issued from the palace of the Alaafin regarding the suit. The court is expected to fix a date for hearing once all parties have entered their appearances.