An aspirant to the vacant Awujale of Ijebuland royal stool, Otunba Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde Adesanya Marshall, is appearing today before the Ogun State High Court, Ijebu-Ode Judicial Division, where a motion seeking to halt the ongoing succession process is expected to be heard.
Marshall is asking the court to grant an interim injunction restraining the Ogun State Government and other respondents from taking any further steps in the nomination, selection or installation of a new Awujale pending the determination of his substantive suit.
In his application, the aspirant hinged his request on Section 36(6)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), arguing that his right to fair hearing would be compromised if the process is allowed to continue while the suit is pending.
He told the court that the interim order is necessary to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and secure his interest as a recognised aspirant to the revered royal stool.
Joined in the suit are the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the Executive Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; the Attorney-General of Ogun State; the Secretary, Ijebu-Ode Local Government; the Chairman, Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council; and the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
According to Marshall’s affidavit, the nomination process under the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law must be initiated by the Secretary to the Local Government and not by any unrecognised body.
He challenged the role allegedly played by the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, which he claimed lacks the legal authority to oversee the selection of a new monarch.
The applicant also alleged that the Ijebu-Ode Local Government failed to publish the names of the 13 recognised kingmakers before commencing the process, as required by law.
Marshall further informed the court that his purported disqualification by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, through a letter dated 11 December 2025, was done without affording him or his family the opportunity to be heard.
He described the action as premature, unlawful and a violation of his constitutional right to fair hearing, insisting that it occurred before the lawful commencement of the nomination process.
Today’s proceedings are expected to determine whether the Awujale succession process will be temporarily suspended or allowed to continue pending the resolution of the substantive issues raised in the suit.
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