The judge nullified the selection and installation of Ghandi as Soun of Ogbomoso and granted Kabir’s prayers for a fresh selection process.
By Jeffrey Agbo
A High Court sitting in Ogbomoso in Oyo State on Wednesday sacked Oba Ghandi Olaoye from his position as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.
The presiding judge, Justice K. A. Adedokun, nullified his selection and installation while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Prince Kabir Olaoye, one of the contenders to the stool.
Ghandi, a pastor and international businessman, was selected a few weeks ago by the kingmakers as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.
His selection was then approved by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on September 2, and he was installed by the kingmakers on September 8.
The stool became vacant after the demise of Oba Jimoh Ajagungbade III in December 2021 at the age of 95. He reigned for 48 years.
However, Prince Kabir Olaoye had dragged the matter to court, saying Ghandi was not eligible for the position of Soun of Ogbomoso.
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Justice Adedokun, in his ruling, restrained Makinde, the Attorney-General and the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Matters in Oyo State.
He said: “Either by themselves, agents or officials, they are restrained from presenting any instrument of office in any form of ceremony or issuance of certificate of installation to Afolabi pending the hearing and final determination of the mandatory injunction already filed before the court.”
Kabir Olaoye had contended that the selection of Ghandi did not follow due process and the Ogbomoso Chieftaincy Declaration.
He then prayed the court to nullify the selection and installation, as well as order the kingmakers to commence a fresh selection process.
Consequently, the judge nullified the selection and installation of Ghandi as Soun of Ogbomoso and granted Kabir’s prayers for a fresh selection process.