On Friday, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Laoye, formerly a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was officially appointed as the new Soun of Ogbomosoland in Oyo State.
According to reports, Laoye, who resided in the United States, arrived in Ogbomoso early in the morning via a private helicopter. The helicopter landed at Ogbomoso Grammar School before Laoye proceeded to the palace.
It is worth mentioning that the Soun of Ogbomoso position became available following the passing of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi on December 12, 2021.
However, there were family members who disagreed with the approval and decided to take the matter to court. They argued that he had no involvement in the process from the start and should not be crowned against their wishes.
In July 2022, the family members filed a lawsuit with the reference HOG/27/2022 against Ghandi Olaoye’s nomination by the kingmakers. They claimed that there were several irregularities in the procedures that led to his nomination and requested that the court nullify the nomination and initiate a new process.
The judge, A.K. Adedokun, scheduled the judgement day after Olaoye’s lawyer, Oladapo Atanda, and Kolawole Fatoye, who represented Ghandi and the kingmakers, respectively, presented their arguments for and against the lawsuit.
The Oyo State Governor, Oyo State Attorney General, Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ogbomoso North Local Government, Ogbomoso North Traditional Council, and Prince Amos Olawole Olaoye (Mogaji Olaoye Ruling House) are the defendants in this case, who are listed from first to sixth in order of importance.
The claimant, noting that the process that produced him violates native law and tradition for the selection of a candidate for selection of a new Soun, requested instructions from the court to set aside the nomination of Ghandi.
Additionally, the claimant also filed a defense to the counterclaims made by the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and twelveth defendants, who were represented by Kolawole Fatoye, Olalekan Oguntoye, and O.E. Igene.
On Friday September 8, however, the new ruler was present at the palace for an official installation that was carried out at Abata by kingmakers under the direction of Areago High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin.
The kingmakers claimed that no court order prohibiting them from appointing Ghandi as the new Soun of Ogbomoso had been received.
He is expected to start the customary rites soon. His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, is proclaimed the new Oba.