A High Court sitting in Abeokuta on Tuesday ordered that the appointment of 75 coronet Obas who were sacked by the state governor, Dapo Abiodun should remain until the determination of the suit against the state government.
Justice A.A Akinyemi in his ruling on the interlocutory injunction filed by the 75 coronet Obas through their counsel, Olumide Oniyire insisted that the status quo of the appointment of the traditional rulers should be maintained.
Justice Akinyemi explained that the relationship that existed between the claimants and the defendants prior to the termination of their appointments and promotions on February 6, 2020 should be maintained pending determination of the suit before the court.
It would be recalled that the state government on May 13, 2019 confirmed the appointment and upgrading of some community chiefs to coronet Obas.
The appointment which was done by the immediate past governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was however reversed by Dapo Abiodun’s administration on February 6, 2020.
Earlier, counsel to the claimants, Oniyire accused the state government alongside its machineries of allegedly intimidating and assaulting the claimants from parading themselves as monarchs.
Oniyire argued that hostility towards the purported demoted 75 coronet Obas began after that revocation of the appointment by the state government on February 6.
The claimants’ counsel pleaded to the court to grant the interlocutory injunction and order that status quo should remain till the court determine the legalities of the appointment.
He said, “the claimants were sacked and despite the fact that the case is still in court, the defendant have been harassing, intimidating and embarrassing the claimants at their various communities where they reign.
“Chieftaincy cases are very sensitive matter. We expected that the defendants should have waited until the determination of the case.
“We are applying for accelerated hearing of the case and we prayed that the status quo before the letter of revocation should remain and be maintained.”
In her response, the defence counsel, O.A Dankuwo urged the court to give them a date to file their processes.
Dankuwo argued that the status quo should be after the revocation of the appointment of the coronet Obas.
According to her, the proper time to maintain status quo should be at the time of the revocation.
She added, “the act has already be done before they came to court and at such the status quo should be after the revocation of appointments.”
Meanwhile, the court had adjourned the case to July 7, 2020.
