The Oyo State High Court, seated in Ogbomosho, has invalidated the ascension of Oba Ghandi Laoye as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.
The Judgment on Monday comes after the Oyo State government’s announcement on September 8, 2023, appointing Ghandi as the new Soun.
Background
The controversy surrounding the selection of the new Soun began when one of the contenders for the throne, Prince Kabir Laoye, brought the matter before the court, challenging the legitimacy of the process that led to the appointment of Oba Ghandi.
The Court had previously issued a directive, stating that the Oyo State government should refrain from announcing anyone as the new Soun.
This was to be pending when the case before the court was resolved.
Despite this order, the state government proceeded to declare Ghandi Laoye as the new Soun.
Kabir Laoye maintained that the process that facilitated Oba Ghandi’s emergence was fundamentally flawed.
He sought the annulment of Oba Ghandi’s appointment and called for a fresh, fair selection process.
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Court’s Decision
Justice Adedokun, in delivering the verdict, declared the selection process and the emergence of Oba Laoye as illegal.
The Judge nullified the appointment of Oba Ghandi Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso
He ordered the kingmakers of Ogbomosho to return to the drawing board and initiate a fresh selection process to determine the new king.
This time, instructing that the selection process follows adherence to legal principles.
This ruling from the Oyo State High Court has effectively called for a reset in the state.