There is tension in Iloro-Ekiti following a Court of Appeal judgment ordering the removal of the Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti, Oba James Oluwafemi Olugbesoye.
The judgment, delivered virtually via Zoom on Monday, August 31, 2026, affirmed an earlier decision of the Ekiti State High Court which removed the monarch from the throne.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Falade Olasunkanmi, said the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment is expected to be released today, Thursday.
Falade said the Court of Appeal affirmed the High Court judgment in its entirety, effectively deposing the monarch.
He added that the people of Iloro-Ekiti were happy with the judgment, describing it as the will of the people.
According to Falade, the Appeal Court did not fault the selection and appointment process, but the failure to perform traditional rites.
He explained that the State Government’s cross-appeal was based on the argument that Oba Olugbesoye had been appointed, but the Court of Appeal maintained that although he was properly selected and appointed, he did not perform the traditional rites required under the native laws and customs of Iloro-Ekiti.
Falade said the performance of the rites was a prerequisite for becoming king and added that Oba Olugbesoye had admitted that he did not perform the traditional rites in accordance with the native laws and customs of Iloro-Ekiti.
Meanwhile, counsel to Oba Olugbesoye, Ezekiel Agunbiade, has faulted the verdict of the court, saying his team was yet to receive the CTC of the judgment.
Agunbiade said his legal team was not ready to comment extensively on the judgment until it obtained a copy, but noted that they listened to the judgment when it was delivered.
According to him, the basis of the judgment, as read by the court, was that Oba Olugbesoye was properly selected and appointed, but there was allegedly insufficient evidence to show that he underwent both the traditional rites and ceremony.
He also faulted the court’s position on the lack of pictorial evidence.
Agunbiade said the court was particular about the absence of an invitation letter and pictures, as well as the fact that no other person testified, which he described as incorrect.
He said the monarch tendered about 32 photographic pieces of evidence before the court.
Agunbiade confirmed that the monarch has appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court and filed an application for a stay of execution.
He said the notice of appeal was filed on the same day the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment, while the application for stay of execution was filed on the morning of the second day after the judgment.
He added that, by law, the court has seven days to provide the Certified True Copy.
In his reaction, Oba Olugbesoye expressed shock at the verdict, saying he, his lawyers and people in government circles were surprised by the decision.
The monarch argued that those who instituted the case should have had their case dismissed at the trial court because, according to him, they were neither kingmakers nor candidates and had no role to play in the process.
He maintained that he fulfilled all traditional requirements and that his coronation was well attended and documented.
Oba Olugbesoye said all relevant documents, including photographs from his installation and coronation, were tendered before the court.
He said he was coronated in Iloro-Ekiti and was the only Oba to be coronated in the town during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, the coronation of the Oore of Otun, which followed his own, was held in Ado-Ekiti.
He added that the then Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, attended the event and presented him with the staff of office.
The monarch also said the late Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, Afuntade I, who was Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers at the time, attended the event alongside more than 40 other traditional rulers.
He added that the present Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who was the Secretary to the State Government at the time, also attended the coronation.
On the issue of rites performed at the Ajero’s palace, the monarch explained that the traditions of Ijero and Iloro-Ekiti are intertwined.
He said there was no way the people could separate the traditions of Ijero and Iloro-Ekiti because both towns and communities were historically connected.
According to him, historical accounts showed that the first Oluloro performed part of his traditional rites in Ijero-Ekiti, while there were also traditional rites that the Ajero was required to perform in Iloro-Ekiti.
Oba Olugbesoye also disclosed that the candidate presented by the opposing side is deceased and scheduled for burial today.