An Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 28 January, 2025, reversed the installation of Oba Alexander Macgregor as the Olu of Ilawo, declaring the process illegal.
Justice Olatokunbo Majekodunmi ruled that Macgregor must stop posing as the Olu of Orile Ilawo, Abeokuta, pending the determination of the suit against the processes that led to his nomination.
The court’s decision was in response to a suit filed by Ogunsanya- Ariku Royal Family of Ilawo, who had prayed to the court to stop the installation and declare Macgregor’s claim to the throne invalid.
Delivering the ruling, the judge condemned the government’s action in installing Macgregor despite pending court cases, describing it as an act of impunity and disregard for the court.
Justice Majekodunmi emphasised that once a case is before the court, all parties are legally obliged not to take any action that could undermine the court’s integrity.
The court, therefore, granted an order of mandatory injunction restraining Macgregor from parading himself as the Olu of Ilawo and restoring the Olu Of Orile Ilawo stool to the way it was when all parties had submitted before the court.
The judge also ordered the withdrawal of all instruments of office, staff, and other symbols of authority that the government had bestowed on Macgregor.
The Ogunsanya-Ariku family approached the court after warrant chiefs approved by the Ilawo tradition council of chiefs were allegedly shortchanged and substituted with strange names to nominate and select the candidate to fill the stool of Olu of Orile Ilawo after the former king’s death on December 24, 2021.
They had also sought to halt the installation process, challenging Macgregor’s claim to the throne.
