Monarch dethroned after 29-year legal battle over throne legitimacy
The Ondo State High Court in Owo has removed Oba Michael Adetunji Oluwole, the traditional ruler of Ute in the Ose local government area.
Oba Oluwole had been involved in a legal battle over his legitimacy for nearly three decades (29 years).
The Olule Omolaja Ruling House contested the retired Army Major’s claim to the throne. Justice Ademola Enikuomehin, in his ruling on the case brought by Adewumi Fabuluje, invalidated the selection process that had appointed Oba Oluwole and ordered a new selection from within the Olule Omolaja Ruling House lineage.
The judge declared that Oba Oluwole must stop identifying himself as the traditional ruler of Ute, stating that he did not have a legitimate right to the throne and was not a qualified member of the ruling house for kingship.
Justice Enikuomehin emphasised that Oluwole, as one of the town’s kingmakers, should not have taken on the role of king.
Adewumi Fabuluje, the plaintiff, hailed the ruling as a triumph for the Olule Omolaja Ruling House, highlighting that the legal dispute, which began in 1995, had been returned to the High Court from the Supreme Court for a fresh hearing following an appellate decision.
The state’s counsel, F.K Salami, mentioned that the judgment would be reviewed for any necessary further actions. Prince Olayiwola Omolaja expressed relief that their prolonged fight for rightful inheritance had finally come to an end.