Court Throws Out KWAM 1’s Injunction Bid On Awujale Stool

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode on Monday dismissed an application filed by Fuji musician, Otunba Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, seeking to halt the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Ayinde, who hails from the Fidipote Ruling House, had approached the court to challenge the composition and actions of the committee handling the succession process. He questioned why the Fusengbuwa Ruling House was being positioned as the sole producer of the next Awujale, alleging that the process violated established chieftaincy procedures.
In the suit, the Fuji musician joined the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, as defendants. He sought an interim injunction restraining them from continuing with the selection and installation process pending the determination of his substantive suit.
Other respondents in the suit, marked HC3/238/2025, include the Executive Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Secretary to the Ijebu-Ode Local Government, and the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council.
Delivering his ruling, Justice A. A. Omoniyi held that the application for an interim injunction lacked merit and consequently refused to grant the request to stop the succession process. However, the court ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive case and fixed January 14, 2026, for the commencement of proceedings.
Ayinde, in his originating suit, alleged that the Awujale succession process breached the provisions of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law and infringed on his constitutional rights.
Meanwhile, despite the court’s refusal to grant the injunction, the Ogun State Government has since suspended the ongoing Awujale selection process. The Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed the development, explaining that the government opted to cancel and restart the process.
According to Yusuf, the decision followed the discovery of procedural lapses that could expose the process to further legal challenges.
“The government wants to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law regarding the installation of the Awujale,” he said.