Justice M.A. Akinyemi of the Ogun State High Court, Sagamu, has scheduled May 21, 2025, for the hearing of a lawsuit filed by the Kankanbina Ruling House of Ogere-Remo against the Ogun State government. The suit challenges the alleged imposition of the incumbent Ologere of Ogere-Remo, Oba James Obafemi Saliu.
The defendants in the case include Oba James Saliu, Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ganiu Hamzat, and the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Sina Ogungbade (SAN).
According to the originating summons made available on Thursday, Prince Olugbenga Adewoju, Rev. Frederick Atakan, Mrs. Kehinde Odetola, and two others filed the suit in May 2023 on behalf of the Kankanbina Ruling House. They contend that the selection and installation of Oba Saliu were wrongful, arguing that it was their family’s turn to produce the next Ologere, not the Aremo and Gushemade families, from which Oba Saliu emerged.
The claimants assert that they had nominated Prince Olugbenga Adewoju and submitted his name to the relevant government authorities. However, in a letter dated December 7, 2022, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government rejected their nomination. Instead, he allegedly convened a meeting attended by five other candidates—none of whom were members of the Kankanbina family—where Oba Saliu was purportedly nominated by members of the Aremo and Gushemade families.
The claimants further allege that despite their protest to Commissioner Ganiu Hamzat, he proceeded with the installation of Oba Saliu on April 25, 2023, two days before a scheduled meeting on April 27, 2023, where the issue was to be discussed. At that meeting, the Commissioner reportedly advised the claimants to seek legal redress, as the installation had already taken place.
In their suit, the claimants seek several declarations from the court, including: That the Kankanbina Ruling House is the rightful family to present a candidate for the Ologere stool, That Oba James Saliu is not a member of the Kankanbina Ruling House. That the nomination, selection, and appointment of Oba Saliu were unlawful and not in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Kankanbina Ruling House and the Ogere-Remo people and that Prince Olugbenga Adewoju is the rightful candidate for the throne, having been properly nominated by his ruling house.
During a press briefing in Ogere-Remo on Wednesday, Prince Olugbenga Adewoju reaffirmed that his selection followed due process, as he was chosen by a committee set up by the ruling house and underwent the necessary traditional rites. He expressed dismay over what he described as the installation of an outsider as Oba.
“I emerged as the Oba-elect from the Kankanbina (Pokebiowula) family, which is next in line to produce the Ologere of Ogere-Remo. As a legitimate member of this ruling house, I was duly selected as the rightful candidate,” Adewoju stated.
He further emphasized his commitment to pursuing legal action, having initially sought intervention from the Council of Obas and the local government.
Supporting Adewoju’s stance, Chief Adedoyin Sobanke, the Araba Ilu and an Ifa priest involved in the selection process, asserted that he would not compromise the truth.
“As an elder in this community and the head of Ifa priests (Araba), I am committed to upholding the truth based on Ifa’s guidance. I urge Governor Abiodun, who is also a prince, to intervene and ensure that our heritage is preserved,” Sobanke said.
Similarly, Rev. Frederick Otaiku, head of the Kankanbina family, insisted that efforts were ongoing to restore what they perceive as their “stolen mandate.”
“We are deeply troubled by the current state of affairs. As elders, we cannot sit back and allow injustice to prevail. We remain committed to seeing this case through to its conclusion and call on Governor Abiodun to take action,” he stated.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with many advocating for a fair and transparent resolution. As the legal battle unfolds, the Kankanbina Ruling House remains steadfast in its quest for justice.
With the hearing scheduled for May 21, 2025, all eyes will be on the Ogun State High Court as it deliberates on this intricate and highly sensitive matter.
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