An Oyo State High Court sitting in Oja-Agbe, Iseyin, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, ordered the reassignment of the ongoing chieftaincy tussle over the Aseyin stool to another judge.
The case, filed as HSY/4/2023, pits the Ogbolu/Oluwole family (claimants) against the Akando/Majaro/Olugbile family (defendants).
The claimants are contesting what they describe as their unlawful removal from the list of royal lineages entitled to ascend the prestigious Aseyin throne.
Presiding judge, Justice S.O. Ajayi, after taking submissions, ruled that the matter be referred to the Chief Judge of Oyo State for reassignment.
During proceedings, lead counsel to the claimants, Barrister Taiwo Johnson Kupolaji SAN, argued that his clients had filed an application to amend the suit since May 26, 2025.
He told the court that the defendants, represented by Chief Adeoye, failed to respond within the five-day window required by the Oyo State High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
“The rules are clear that when an amendment application is served, the other party is expected to counter within five days if opposed. The defendants have failed to do so,” Taiwo SAN submitted.
Justice Ajayi, however, observed that the defendants’ counsel had been unavoidably absent due to ill health, explaining his failure to respond or appear before the court.
He therefore directed that the case be sent to the Oyo Chief Judge for reallocation rather than continuing arguments on the application.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Taiwo SAN expressed mixed feelings about the development.
“We are in court to ensure fairness and justice for the Ogbolu/Oluwole family, who have been unjustly sidelined in matters relating to the Aseyin stool.
Though today’s ruling did not address our amendment application, we are pleased that the case will receive fresh attention under another judge,” he said.
Also reacting, Chief Taiwo Adekunle, the Jagun of Iseyinland, described the suit as a corrective step to restore balance to the royal succession.
“The Ogbolu/Oluwole family, as one of the entitled lineages, should not be deprived of its hereditary rights,” he noted.
Representatives of the Akando/Majaro/Olugbile families were absent in court, reportedly due to the ill health of their counsel.
The matter is expected to be reassigned in the coming weeks by the Chief Judge of Oyo State before hearings resume.