Ooni: Court Stops Giesi Presenting Candidates

The presentation of candidates for the vacate Ooni of Ife stool from the Giesi Ruling House has suffered a setback. This followed a court injunction on Wednesday evening ordering a halt to the process.

On Monday, kingmakers in Ile-Ife made a formal announcement requesting nomination of candidates from the Giesi Ruling House for the selection of the new Ooni of Ife.

But Justice A. A. Aderibigbe of an Osogbo High Court granted the Lafogido Ruling House of Ile-Ife an injunction stopping the Ife kingmakers and Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesolsa from allowing the Giesi Ruling House present candidates for position pending the determination of the matter before the court.

The matter, with suit number, HOS/16/2015, was filed on behalf of the Lafogido family by Sooko Bunmi Adegoke, Prince Marcus Adebola Akinmoyero as plaintiffs and Governor Aregbesola, the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin; and the Lowa of Ile-Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaduola as defendants.

A part of the injunction reads, “An order of interim injunction is granted restraining the defendants from accepting nomination, selecting candidates or taking any steps whatsoever in the process of selecting the new Ooni of Ife to fill the vacant stool pending the determination of the motion on notice dated September 15, 2015. Returns date shall be Thursday, September 23, 2015.”