Oyo princes seek court order to restrict Alaafin’s public engagements

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has been dragged to court to make an appearance personally or through representation in a case instituted against him by princes of the town at the State High Court sitting in Oyo Town.

The claimants; Ladigbolu Adegboyega, Owoade Tesleem, Adeyemi Adesina and Adeyemi Adebayo — in suit No: HOY/18/2026, sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Alaafin, a defendant in the suit, either by himself, servants, privies or any other person whatsoever, from appearing, attending or further attending occasions and functions that are not befitting the status of a symbolic traditional head of the Yoruba race.

They also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from acting in any traditional or official capacity that would make him subservient or inferior to any Oba in Yorubaland.

The claimants further sought a declaration that the office of the Alaafin of Oyo, currently occupied by the defendant, is of great historical importance not only in Yorubaland but also in Nigeria, West Africa and beyond.

“A declaration that the Alaafin of Oyo is the symbol of unity, togetherness and the pivotal holder of the cultural, customary and traditional heritage of the Yoruba people.

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“A declaration that the Alaafin of Oyo is the paramount ruler and appointing authority over all chieftaincies in Oyo Town as well as Oyo North and South,” the suit read.

The defendant, as stated in the writ of summons, may enter an appearance personally or through legal practitioners by handing in the appropriate forms duly completed at the registry of the High Court of the judicial division where the action was brought, or by sending them to the registry by registered post.