An Osun State High court sitting in Osogbo has granted an injunction restraining the Ife kingmakers and Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesolsa, from accepting any nominations from the Giesi ruling house to occupy the stool of the Ooni of Ife that became vacant, following the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade in July.
The injunction came following a suit filed by the Lafogido ruling house, challenging the selection of the Giesi ruling house by the kingmakers for the nomination of the next ruler of the Ife kingdom.
The Ogboru ruling house, which produced the last Ooni, is also contesting the verdict of the kingmakers, claiming the right to produce the next Ooni.
PREMIUM TIMES also learnt that although the court injunction was a major factor, the death of the Obalufe of Iremo, Folorunso Omisakin, could be an additional frustration, given that his burial was expected to hold before the announcement of the Ooni.
The Obalufe had on September 14 personally announced that the Giesi family would produce the next ruler who would be announced in 42 days.
The secretary of the Giesi family, Adelowo Ogunleye, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday that the court action had frustrated the process.
“It is a fact that the court is what is delaying the announcement of the new Ooni of Ife,” he said.
“Until the court strikes out the case, there is nothing we can do, because as a family, we are a law abiding people.
“We have done the screening from our own end and submitted the list of the candidates to the kingmakers.
“We have 20 male princes and one female which the kingmakers will presented candidates to Ifa to make its choice,” he said.
Asked why the candidates were so many, Mr. Ogunleye noted that all the princes in the family were qualified to become the Ooni, but having done the screening, the kingmakers, seeking the guidance of the Ifa oracle, would pick one of the qualified candidates.
He however expressed hope that the case would be struck out by the court, because it had no merits and could not stand the test of the law.
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