The royal house alleged that the state government imposed an unknown person to fill the vacant seat of Aladeokun of Alade Idanre which became vacant following the demise of the Late Oba Olusegun Akinbola in 2020.
The applicants said Akinnadeju Family had earlier forwarded the name of one Alexander Akinnadeju to the kingmakers and to the state government to be the candidate for the stool but they faulted the process, saying it was contrary to the native law and custom of Alade Idanre.
They alleged that Alexander Akinnadeju was from the Akinnadeju family and by “the extant registered Chieftaincy Declaration, the family is not entitled and eligible to vie, nominate, be nominated, presented and appreciated to fill the stool of Aladeokun Alade Idanre”.
The royal family claimed that Alexander or any of his family is not a member of the Lagokun Ruling House and was not entitled to participate in the nomination exercise of the Aladeokun stool let alone single out as a candidate for the stool.
Apart from the government, the Akinadeju Family and the kingmakers of the community, Chief Alexander Akinnadeju, High Chief Lisa, Secretary to Idanre Local Government, Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Governor of Ondo State, were also joined in the suit.
The applicants who included Chief Francis Akintade, Chief Toba Akinboro, Otunba Akingbaso Benson, Prof Yomi Dinakin and Chief Akinbiyi Akinseye sought the court order of perpetual injunction restraining the government, kingmakers from nominating, presenting or appointing one Alexander Akinnadeju or any member of Akinnadeju Family from filling the vacant stool of Alade Idanre.
The applicants also prayed the court to further give the order to set aside the nomination, presentation or appointment of any member of the Akinnadeju family who is not a member of the Akinbola or Akinboro family.
According to the applicants, Akinbola and Akinboro are the only families recognized as constituting the Lagokun Ruling House that can nominate and present candidates for appointment to the stool of Aladeokun of Alade Idanre. They added that the nomination of one Alexandra Akinnadeju or any member of the Akinnadeju Family for appointment by the state government as Aladeokun was a violent violation of the provision of the Chiefs Law, describing it as illegal, unlawful, null, and void and of no effect.