‎...Rejects Fatunsi's Appointment, Threatens Legal Action
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‎A lawyer representing one of the contenders for the Olusupare of Supare-Akoko stool, Prince Solomon Animasahun Adelakun, has accused Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of defying a subsisting court order by approving the appointment of Prince Adewale Fatunsi Richard as the traditional ruler.
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‎The lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, while addressing journalists in Akure the state capital on Wednesday also accused the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of being involved in the alleged violation of the court order.
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‎The law firm condemned the purported ratification of Fatunsi's appointment by the Ondo State Executive Council at its meeting held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, describing the approval as illegal and a violation of the rule of law.
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‎The lawyers insisted that the matter was still before the Ondo State High Court, Oka Division, and that the government was restrained from taking any step to approve the appointment pending the determination of the substantive suit.
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‎The suit, marked HKA/32/2024, was instituted by Prince Animasahun Solomon Adelakun against Fasusi Richard Adewale and 13 others after Animasahun was allegedly excluded from the selection process for the traditional stool.
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‎According to the statement, the case has reached an advanced stage, with both parties having called their witnesses and closed their cases.
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‎The matter, it added, has been adjourned until September 23, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses, after which the court is expected to deliver its judgment.
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‎The lawyers further claimed that an interlocutory injunction restraining the Ondo State Government from taking any step to approve the appointment remains subsisting pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
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‎They, therefore, faulted the approval of Fatunsi's appointment despite the alleged subsisting court order, describing the action as a "flagrant disobedience" of the court and an affront to the Judiciary.
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‎The law firm said the state government was represented by counsel at the last adjourned date and was therefore aware that the case had reached its concluding stage.
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‎It accused the governor and the officials involved of resorting to self-help and taking a decision that could render the proceedings before the court nugatory.
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‎The lawyers called on Governor Aiyedatiwa and the state government to immediately put the approval of Fatunsi as Olusupare of Supare-Akoko on hold and allow the court to determine the dispute.
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‎They also urged the governor and his administration to respect the doctrine of separation of powers and keep the appointment in abeyance until the court delivers its judgment.
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‎The law firm warned that if the approval was not reversed, it would initiate contempt proceedings against Governor Aiyedatiwa and other officials allegedly involved in the decision, including the relevant commissioners.
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