>
The Supreme Court has sacked the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, twenty-one years after he ascended the throne.
The monarch was removed on Friday, following an Oyo State High Court judgment that had earlier ordered his removal on January 26, 2011.
Dissatisfied with the 2011 court judgment, the monarch took his case to the Court of Appeal before eventually moving to the Supreme Court.
The sacked monarch was installed as the Eleruwa in 1998 by the Oyo State Government, amidst protests by members of the other ruling house,following the death of the last Eleruwa, late Oba Bolanle Olaniyan, who is from the Akalako ruling house on May 1, 1994.
His nomination and selection by the kingmakers was challenged by the Laribikusi ruling house, which argued that he was not a member of the ruling house that is next in line. They argued that Oba Adegbola belonged to Akalako ruling house, where the previous king hailed from but the state government went ahead to present him with the instrument of office.
Those who approached the court to challenge Oba Adegbola’s ascension to the throne are Mr. James Olatunde Idowu and Alhaji Ajao. Joined in the suit are the Governor of Oyo State; the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State; Ibarapa Central Local Government; Chief Jacob Adewusi; Chief Femi Atanda; Chief Idowu Okeowo, Chief E. Ojebisi and Mr. Kasali.
The plaintiffs, represented by Alhaji Lasun Sanusi (SAN) sought eight reliefs in their statement of claims which were all granted by the court.
Having summarized all the submissions of the counsel to both parties, Justice Abimbola resolved all the issues in favour of the plaintiffs.