“Victory for Oba Olaoye: Appeal Court Overturns Lower Court’s Ruling”

In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has officially upheld the appointment of Oba Ghandi Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso, overturning a previous judgment that had declared his selection invalid. The three-member panel, led by Justice Yargata Nimpar, delivered the verdict on Tuesday, ruling decisively in favor of Oba Olaoye on all 10 grounds of appeal.

The controversy surrounding Oba Olaoye’s installation began when Justice K.A. Adedokun of the Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso had, on October 25, 2023, nullified the traditional ruler’s appointment. The lower court had deemed the process “irregular, null, and void,” claiming it did not comply with the provisions set out in the 1958 Soun Chieftaincy Declaration.

However, the Court of Appeal rejected this ruling, restoring confidence in Oba Olaoye’s legitimacy as the rightful Soun of Ogbomoso. In its judgment, the appellate court emphasized that the selection process followed proper legal procedures, thereby affirming the monarch’s position and rejecting the claims of irregularity raised by the lower court.

With this ruling, Oba Olaoye’s appointment has been firmly reinstated, signaling a significant victory for the monarch and his supporters. The legal battle, which has captivated Ogbomoso and the broader Oyo State, appears to have reached its final chapter with the Court of Appeal’s decisive intervention.