The Ona-Aka Alaafin Royal Family of Ona-Aka Compound, Agunpopo, Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State, has dragged the Alaafin of Oyo, H.I.M Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, to court over an alleged wrongful nomination and move to install a candidate from Ona-Aka Alalubosa as the next Ona-Aka Alaafin.
The matter is now before the High Court of Justice, Oyo Judicial Division, in Suit No: HCL/04/2026, with Alhaji Shittu Adejare Tella & 2 Others suing for themselves and on behalf of the Agunpopo royal family. The plaintiffs are challenging what they described as an attempt to sidestep tradition and statutory provisions in the appointment of the next titleholder.
Court documents showing that the plaintiffs are represented by Barrister Olagoke M. Esuola of Arojoye Chambers, who is listed as the plaintiffs’ solicitor in the suit. The legal practitioner is also the counsel pushing for urgent court orders to halt any installation process pending the determination of the case.
In the statement of claim, the plaintiffs said they are “members and representatives of the Ona-Aka Alaafin Agunpopo Royal Family, Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo, Oyo State,” while describing the Alaafin as “the paramount ruler and consenting authority for Oyo and chieftaincy titles under his jurisdiction.”
They further told the court that: “The Plaintiffs family are the recognized and gazetted legitimate holder of the chieftaincy title of Ona-Aka Alaafin of Oyo and this has been the case from inception of the new Oyo from the time of Alaafin Atiba Atobatele.”
To support their position, the plaintiffs referenced statutory backing, stating: “This exclusive claim… is recognized and confirmed by The Local Government Law (Cap 66) Local Government Traditional Councils in Oyo State of Nigeria Order 1998 more particularly in page B7 of the Law.”
The plaintiffs also provided a timeline, noting that: “The stool of Ona Aka Alaafin became vacant in 2022.” They said they later wrote to the palace in 2025, shortly after the coronation of the incumbent Alaafin, to notify the monarch of their intention to fill the vacancy and the nomination of their preferred candidate.
However, they alleged that the situation took a different turn, claiming: “The 1st Defendant sought to install a certain Alhaji Oyedokun Sulaimon Akande from Ona Aka Alalubosa in Oyo East, as Ona Aka Alaafin… in clear and undisguised breach of the law of the State.” They added: “Ona Aka does not exist as a Chieftaincy title under Oyo East at all.”
The plaintiffs described the alleged appointment letter as unlawful and provocative, insisting: “The Plaintiffs contends that the letter of appointment issued to 2nd Defendant by the 1st Defendant is a misnomer, wrongful and a clear assault on not just tradition but the Law of the State.”
They further claimed the move was secretly executed, stating: “The family after discovering the attempt to secretly install and bestow the title… on someone that is not from Ona-Aka Alaafin, Agunpopo, Atiba Local Government nor a nominee of the family, cause their counsel OLAGOKE ESUOLA ESQ to formally write to the 1st Defendant.”
The plaintiffs maintained that efforts to resolve the matter amicably were ignored, adding: “That the Plaintiffs have already suggested the way out but the Defendants… have only responded with absolute discourtesy and non-challance.” They also described the alleged conduct as “unjustifiable, unconscionable and amount to a clear disregard of tradition and law.”
Among the key reliefs sought in Suit No: HCL/04/2026, the family is asking the court to declare that the Alaafin “cannot install the 2nd Defendant or anyone from the Ona-Aka Alalubosa as Ona Aka Alaafin in contradiction and contravention of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State with particular references to the Local Government Law Cap 66.”
They are also seeking restraining orders against government authorities to stop any approval, recognition, issuance of instrument of office, or presentation of paraphernalia connected to the disputed nomination, insisting that only the Agunpopo royal family has the right to produce and present the next Ona-Aka Alaafin.
Some of the documents
