15th July, 2013
The Nigerian Court of Appeal, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo state on Monday dismissed the petition filed by the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Samuel Adegbola, along with six others, on his dethronement.
Adegbola had appealed against a judgment, delivered by Justice Ladipo Abimbola of the Oyo State High Court in favour of Mr Olatunde Idowu and four others on January 26, 2011.
The High Court had ruled that Adegbola should be removed on the grounds that his selection, nomination and approval by the State Government were irregular, null and void.
Adegbola was enthroned as Eleruwa in 1998, following the death of his predecessor, Oba Bolanle Olaniyan in 1994.
The legal battle against his ascension to the throne had been on for close to 15 years.
His appeal was dismissed a day to his 15th anniversary as the Eleruwa.
Justice M.B. Dongba-Mensan of the Federal Court of Appeal in the over 50 minutes judgment dismissed the monarch’s appeal.
Dongban-Mensan said the Court of Appeal was satisfied with the judgment of the High Court.
He, therefore, sustained the judgment.
Speaking later on the court’s decision, the former monarch said: ”there is no cause for alarm as my counsel are around finalising the process of going to the Supreme Court.
”We are ready to utilise to the fullest our rights under the provisions of law”.
He said the case, being a civil matter, could be taken to the Supreme Court.
An Eruwa prince, Alhaji Rasheed Ajao, said, ”today, the entire Eruwa community is set free courtesy of the judiciary which restored our hope.
”We stood by the truth for 15 years. Samuel Adegbola was illegally picked by some cabals in Eruwa. Today, God revealed the truth.
”I urge the Oyo State Government to ensure the implementation of the court order.”