Ondo High Court Halts Recognition of Ore Regent Amid Chieftaincy Dispute

The Ondo State High Court, situated in Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area, has issued an injunction preventing High Chief Akindele Aladenika from presenting himself as the regent of the Ore community. In a ruling delivered by Justice Ade Adegoroye, a copy of which was made available on Sunday, the court also barred the state government and its agencies from acknowledging Aladenika as the community's regent until a substantive legal case regarding the traditional stool is concluded.

The Olore of Ore stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Johnson Olatomide in 2020. Reports indicated that the state government had approved Aladenika's appointment as regent, but this decision was met with strong disapproval from the Olore-in-Council. The council had instead requested the government to appoint a substantive monarch for the community rather than a regent. It was further alleged that Aladenika had been parading himself as the traditional ruler of the community, reportedly with the support of the state government.

Consequently, four members of the Olore-in-Council—High Chief Monday Sawoju, High Chief Mrs. Esther, Chief Tope Ijiniga, and Chief Fakeye Sawoju—approached the court. They sought an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the state government and security agencies from recognizing Aladenika as the regent of Ore community. The defendants in the suit include the state governor, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, and one David Ijiniga.

The plaintiffs additionally prayed the court to set aside Aladenika's nomination, approval, and all associated documents and activities that led to his appointment, pending the outcome of a similar case already before the court.

The court determined that a subsisting injunction concerning the community's previous regency remained unresolved. Justice Adegoroye noted that installing another regent while this matter was still pending in court could be construed as contempt and an act to undermine the judicial process.

In his ruling, Justice Adegoroye stated, “The position of this case is a bit more precarious. The matter is sub judice, and the bone of contention is the regency of Ore. There is a subsisting injunction against the erstwhile regent, who unfortunately has joined his ancestors. It is an affront against the court for another person to be installed in defiance of the injunction, for whatever it is worth, and the fact that the case is still pending before the court. Tinkering with a matter that is sub judice could amount to contempt of court.”

He concluded, “In sum, I hold that this application succeeds in part. The first to fourth defendants/respondents and all law enforcement agencies are hereby restrained from further recognising High Chief Akindele Aladenika as the Regent of Ore pending the final determination of the substantive suit. The said High Chief Akindele Aladenika is also restrained from further parading himself as the Regent of Ore pending the final determination of the substantive suit.”