A fresh development in the legal dispute over the headship and traditional status of Igbile in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State has put the status of the stool under renewed scrutiny, with the state government telling the court that no Oba has been officially installed in the town.
A court bailiff on Tuesday pasted court processes at the gate of the Awujale Palace in Etitale, Ijebu-Ode, as part of substituted service in the ongoing case concerning the Igbile traditional stool.
The documents, seen by Sagebits News, are the Counter-Affidavit and Written Address filed by the Ogun State Government in Suit No. HCJ/223/2025 before the High Court of Ogun State, Ijebu-Ode Division.
The suit was instituted by Moshood Adekoya of the Agodo Family, Tajudeen Wahab of the Iwaye Family and Fatai Afolabi of the Lofa Family, suing for themselves and on behalf of descendants of Jaun Medu, described in the suit as the founder of Igbile and progenitor of the Jaun Medu Royal Dynasty.
Joined as respondents are the Executive Governor of Ogun State, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Odogbolu Local Government Council, the Office of the Awujale of Ijebuland and Kolawole Abdul-Salam, listed in the suit as the purported Oba-elect of Igbile.
In its counter-affidavit, deposed to by Akin-Akinpelu Olutoyin O. of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and sworn to on July 6, 2026, the first to third respondents stated that Igbile remains a minor chieftaincy stool under the designation of Baale.
The government further told the court that there is currently no approved or registered Chieftaincy Declaration establishing an Obaship stool for Igbile, adding that the ministry has no historical record recognising Igbile as an Obaship.
It also stated that it had no record of the installation of any person as Oba of Igbile and that no Staff of Office or Instrument of Recognition had been issued to the sixth respondent or any other person in respect of the Igbile stool.
On the proposed elevation of the stool, the government said an application seeking the upgrade of Igbile from a Baale stool to an Obaship was before the ministry and was still being processed. According to the government, the application was awaiting approval and no final decision had been taken.
The respondents consequently argued that the suit was premature, contending that the process for upgrading the stool had not been concluded. They also maintained that the nomination and selection of a Baale for Igbile falls within the traditional process involving the Oloja of Igbile and the Ijebu Traditional Council, rather than being a matter for direct determination by the Governor.
The counter-affidavit and written address were filed on behalf of the Governor, Attorney-General and Commissioner by A.T. Awosanya, Senior State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The posting of the court processes at the Awujale Palace gate constitutes substituted service, bringing the proceedings to public notice and ensuring that the affected parties are served in accordance with the court’s direction.
The matter remains pending before the High Court, while a hearing date is expected to be communicated by the court.
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