Justice M A Akinyemi of the Ogun State High Court, Sagamu has fixed May 21, 2025 for the hearing of the lawsuit filed against Ogun State government by the Kankanbina ruling house of Ogere-Remo over the alleged imposition of the incumbent Ologere of Ogere-Remo, Oba James Obafemi Saliu.

Others sued alongside Oba James Saliu are Gov Dapo Abiodun, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiu Hamzat and the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr Sina Ogungbade, Sina Ogungbade SAN.

According to the court originating summons made available to our correspondent on Thursday, Prince Olugbenga Adewoju, Rev Frederick Atakan, Mrs. Kehinde Odetola and two others on behalf of Kankanbina Ruling house had in May 2023 approached the state High Court in Sagamu over the alleged wrongful selection and imposition of Oba Saliu as the new Ologere of Ogere-Remo in Ogun State.

The claimants explained that it is the turn of their family to produce the next occupant of the Ologere stool and not Aremo and Gushemade families from where Oba Saliu emerged.

They disclosed further that they had actually nominated Prince Olugbenga Adewoju and forwarded same to the relevant government agencies but the second defendant, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government in a letter dated 07/12/2022 rejected the family resolution/nomination.

The LG Chairman allegedly called for a meeting which had in attendance five other candidates who were allegedly not members of the Kankanbina family where the 1st defendant, Oba Saliu was wrongfully nominated by members of the Aremo and Gushemade families.

The claimants revealed further that they had protested this alleged wrongful selection of the 1st defendant to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiu Hamzat who  fixed a meeting for the two parties on 27th of April, 2023 but went ahead to perform the installation of Oba Saliu on the 25th of April, 2023.

At the said meeting held on the 27th of April 2023, the 3rd defendant, the Commissioner for Local Government and  Chieftaincy Affairs reportedly urged the claimants to go to court for redress because the appointment and installation of the royal father had been done.

The family has therefore asked the court to make an order "declaring that the Kankanbina Ruling House is the family whose turn is to feed the candidate for the stool of Ologere of Ogere-Remo in Ikenne LGA of Ogun State but not the 1st defendant, Aremo or Gushemade families.

"That the 1st defendant is not from the Kankanbina Ruling family of Ogere-Remo in Ikenne LGA of Ogun State unlike the 1st claimant.

"An order of this honourable court declaring null and void the Nomination, selection and the appointment of the 1st defendant to the said stool as same was not done according to the customs and tradition of the Kankanbina Ruling House, the Ogere.

"An order declaring null and void the nomination, selection and the appointment of the 1st defendant to the said stool as same was not done according to the customs and tradition of the Kankanbina Ruling House, the Ogere-Remo people of Ikenne LGA of Ogun State, the chieftaincy declaration/Chiefs Law of Ogun State. 

"A declaration that the 1st claimant is the right person entitled to selection and appointment to the throne of the Ologere of Ogere Remo having been properly nominated by members of the Kankanbina Family and his name submitted by the family for the said appointment but not the 1st defendant who was nominated by the Aremo and Gushemade families. 

Justice Akinyemi has therefore fixed May 21 for the commencement of the trial of the lawsuit. 

During a press briefing held at the Ogere Remo on Wednesday, Prince Olugbenga Adewoju reiterated that his selection was legitimate, having been chosen by a committee set up by the ruling house and passing through the traditional processes to emerge.

He expressed his dismay that an individual allegedly not belonging to any of the ruling houses in the land was installed as Oba.

"I emerged as the Oba-elect from the Kankanbina (Pokebiowula) family, which is next in line to produce the Oba of Ogere community. As a legitimate member of this ruling house, I was selected as the rightful candidate."

"The matter is currently before the court, even though we have initially sought the intervention of the Council of Obas and the local government authority. The hearing has been scheduled for May 21st this year, following the completion of the pre-trial conference. I am committed to pursuing this matter through legal channels to resolve the issue and establish the rightful claim to the throne."

Supporting Adewoju’s claims, Chief Adedoyin Sobanke, who also serves as the Araba Ilu and consulted the oracle during the proceedings, affirmed that he would not compromise the truth.

According to him, "I am one of the elders in this community, as well as the head of Ifa priest (Araba) and I am resolute to stand by the truth in accordance with Ifa’s guidance and authentication. I implore Governor Abiodun who is also a Prince to come to our aid in ensuring that our heritage is not lost to a stranger.

Similarly, Rev. Frederick Otaiku, head of the family, insisted that efforts are ongoing to restore the 'stolen mandate'.

"We are dismayed by the current monarch's position in the community. As elders, we cannot stand by and watch injustice prevail. We remain committed to pursuing this case to the last stage and once again call on Governor Abiodun to intervene."