The battle for the seat of Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland intensifies as families, particularly Ofukutu and Ajimoko, also known as Hastrup in the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, spar over the kingship.
Recall that the late Oba Aromolaran died after a brief illness at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, on 11 September 2024, at the age of 86.
AFTER THE DEMISE OF OWA-OBOKUN, WHO IS IN CHARGE?
According to Ijesa customs, six Agba Ijesas, known as Eta Ile and Eta Oko, must take leadership of Ijesaland’s affairs immediately upon the death of Owa-Obokun.
The Eta Ile consists of Obaala, Ogboni Ilesa, and Oba Odo. The Eta Oko is made up of Ogboni Ipole, Ogboni Ijebu-Ijesa, and Ogboni Ibokun. Obaala leads the Eta Ile, while Ogboni leads Esa-Oko. However, Obaala is said to be the ultimate head of the Agba Ijesas.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE NEXT OWA?
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that it is the duty of 13 high chiefs and kingmakers fondly called Afobajes to choose the new Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland.
The 13 high chiefs include six Agba Ijesas (Ọbaala of Ilesa, Ogboni of Ipole, Ogboni Ijebu Jesa, Ogboni of Ibokun, Ogboni of Ilesa, Obaodo of Ilesa), four AARE Council members (Ọdole of Ilesa, Risawe of Ilesa, Saloro of Ilesa, Arapate of Ilesa), and three Elegbe military commanders (Lejoka of Ilesa).
The high chiefs and Afobajes are empowered to collaborate with the next Ruling House to select the next Owa Obokun of Ijesaland under the guidance of Ifa, the divinity and all-knower.
ROYAL HOUSES?
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that Ilesa had four ruling houses: Bilayi Arere, Bilaro Olu-Odo, Biladu, and Bilagbayo, respectively. The late Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland came from the Bilayi Arere Ruling House, which included the Aromolaran and Bepo lineages.
The ruling house that will produce the next Owa is the Bilaro Olu-Odo, which includes Arimoro, Ajimoko, Folowosele, and Ofukutu royal families. Bilagbayo Ruling House consists of Atayerọ, Agunlejika, and Lufadeju, whereas Biladu Ruling House includes Ogunmokun and others.
THE CROWN OR THRONE HUSTLE?
Following the death of late Aromolaran, who ruled for 42 years, interested crown princes from royal families, including Arimoro, Ofukutu, and Ajimoko (Hastrup), in the Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House quietly began jostling for the vacant throne, causing a sharp division among chiefs and prominent indigenes in the town.
When WITHIN NIGERIA visited the Ajimoko and Ofokutu families’ homes, the reporter saw that renovations such as painting, boreholes, new roofing sheets, and structural adjustments to the buildings had been completed and still ongoing in preparation for the kingship tussle.
It was also gathered that more than 30 crown princes from the Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House have entered the contest, with the Ajimoko (Hastrup family) royal line appearing to have the majority.
The contest is strictly between the Arimoro royal family, the Ofukutu royal family, and the Ajimoko (Hastrup) royal family. The mandatory 90-day mourning of the late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran had not been completed when an unconfirmed story surfaced on social media that the state government had chosen a former deputy governor, Prince Clement Adesuyi Hastrup, in collaboration with some high chiefs.
This incident, including the N10 million application form for Owa chieftaincy aspirants, sparked controversy, but it was quickly dispelled when the Agba Ijesas said that all royal jostling for the throne would be halted till the final burial of late Oba Aromolaran.
THE COURT?
WITHIN NIGERIA obtained a court summons against the Agba Ijesas, high chiefs, Ilesa West Local Government, Governor Adeleke Adeleke, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Titles, Attorney General, and Commissioner for Justice filed by 11 crown princes on behalf of the Ofukutu royal family of the Bilaro Ruling House.
The summons also included Prince Adeleke Hastrup, Prince Clement Adesuyi Hastrup, Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House’s Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary, the Ijesa Central Traditional Council, and the Arapate of Ilesa.
Until the substantive suit is heard and decided, the plaintiffs requested an order of interim injunction prohibiting Ilesa West Local Government, the Governor of Osun State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Titles, the Attorney General, and the Commissioner for Justice from taking any action pertaining to the presentation, nomination, selection, election, or appointment of Prince Clement Adesuyi Hastrup or any other individual as the Owa of Ijesaland or Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland.
THE ISSUES?
According to a source, the Ofokutu family went to court to seek an injunction because they have reliable information that the Osun State Government, in collaboration with the Agba Ijesas, has decided to appoint Prince Clement Adesuyi Hastrup as the Owa of Ijesaland, also known as Owa-Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland.
The source further said that the Ajimoko (Hastrup) royal family of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House had presented more Owa of Ijesaland or Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland than any other royal family in the house, making her a big benefit.
“It’s cheating. “Ajimoko (Hastrup) cannot continue to present more Owa of Ijesaland at the expense of other royal families in the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House,” the source said.
OFUKUTU’S SUIT, A PREMATURE EJACULATION –
Edmund Z. Biriomoni, an Osun-based lawyer, told WITHIN NIGERIA in a phone interview that the claim filed by Ofokutu’s crown princes is premature and lacks a cause of action, which means that there is no dispute between the parties that the court can resolve.
Biriomoni argued that Prince Clement Adesuyi Hastrup had not been selected, elected, appointed, or announced as the Owa-Obokun elect through any recognized process or by any person or authority, therefore his concern over the aforementioned action.
Biriomoni who disclosed that court is a court of law and not of sentiment, morality or public opinion, further argued that the court of law acts on facts and not on presumption.
He added that the Ofukutu royal family have not established an actionable case because the court acts on facts not on rumors or roadside talks.
“Prince Clement Adesuyi Hastrup is a real royal born. He is descended from the Ajimoko royal dynasty, one of Bilaro Oluodo’s ruling lineages. He has not been denied by his relatives. No other ruling house is arguing that it is not Bilaro Oluodo’s turn to rule. There is no law that says the Ajimoko cannot contest or must step aside for other royal families in the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, he continued.
According to Biriomoni, the Ofokutu Royal family’s lawsuit lacks a cause of action, and the court would be stripped of the necessary jurisdiction to hear the case.