Daud Olatunji
In a groundbreaking ruling on Thursday, Chief Mukaila Akinwande has been officially declared the legitimate Oluwo of Ijeja Egbaland, Abeokuta, Ogun State,culminating a legal dispute initiated by Chief Aremu Bamgboye.
Presiding over the case, Judge Ogunfowora dismissed Bamgboye’s claims and imposed a fine of N250,000.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that late Chief Rufus Ogunsola, the former Oluwo who passed away in 2020, was succeeded by Akinwande, facing a challenge from Bamgboye.
Despite earlier restraints from presenting himself as Oluwo, Thursday’s ruling pronounced Akinwande as the rightful leader.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Akinwande had previously received endorsement from the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, as the Oluwo of Ijeja land.
Expressing his joy over the verdict, Akinwande stated, “Chief Rufus Ogunsola died in 2020, and I was made the new Oluwo.
“ But, Chief Aremu Bamgboye took me to court claiming he was the authentic Oluwo. The Alake gave me a certificate and pronounced me the authentic Oluwo.”
Chief Olawale Sodipo, the Ekerin and Secretary of Ijeja Council of Chiefs, remarked that the matter has been put to rest with the court victory.
He highlighted that the Alake’s previous certification of Akinwande’s legitimacy was reaffirmed by the recent judgment.
“We have been expecting this judgment, and we believe it is our mandate,” said Sodipo, expressing gratitude to the Ijeja community for their support during the challenging time.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the legal dispute involved the unauthorized installation of Bamgboye by the Oluwo of Igbein, Chief Odesola.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the Alake had suspended Odesola for this act, further strengthening Akinwande’s claim to the Oluwo title.
Other voices in the community, including Chief Olatunbosun Bello, the Seriki and Lupona of Ijeja, Chief Sunday Oluwole, the Odofin of Ijeja, and Chief Adewunmi Gbenga Mathew, the Olori Aje Ijeja, spoke in support of the court’s decision, with Bello noting that Bamgboye’s case was not only struck out but also resulted in a fine of N250,000.
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