Next Ooni of Ife: Court Stops Giesi Family From Presenting Candidates

Following the formal announcement by the kingmakers in Ile-Ife requesting nomination of candidates from the Giesi Ruling House for the selection of the new Ooni of Ife, an Osogbo high court yesterday granted the Lafogido Ruling House of Ile-Ife an injunction restraining the Ife king makers and Osun state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesolsa from allowing the Giesi ruling house from presenting candidates for the vacant stool.

The injunction, which was granted yesterday evening by Justice A. A. Aderibigbe is sequel to a suit filed by the Lafogido ruling house seeking the restraining order against the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin and the Lowa of Ile-Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaduola, pending the determination of the matter before the court.

The matter, with suit number, HOS/16/2015, was filed on behalf of the Lafogido family by Sooko Bunmi Adegoke, Prince Marcus Adebola Akinmoyero as plaintiffs and Governor Aregbesola, Omisakin and Ijaduola as defendants.

The injunction, a copy of which was made available to reporters, reads in part; “An order of interim injunction is granted restraining the defendants from accepting nomination, selecting candidates or taking any steps whatsoever in the process of selecting the new Ooni of Ife to fill the vacant stool pending the determination of the motion on notice dated September 15, 2015. Returns date shall be Thursday, September 23, 2015.”

The Ife king makers at Monday’s press conference at the Ooni’s palace has asked the Giesi ruling house to commence the process of presenting candidates for the Ooni stool based on 1980 Ife chieftaincy declaration which allowed rotational method for ascendancy to the throne.

Vanguard