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HomenewsCourt Reverses Installation of Alexander Macgregor as Olu of Ilawo

Court Reverses Installation of Alexander Macgregor as Olu of Ilawo

The Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta on Tuesday reversed the installation of Alexander Macgregor as the Olu of Ilawo, declaring the process illegal.

Justice Olatokunbo Majekodunmi ruled that Macgregor must cease presenting himself as the Olu of Orile Ilawo, Abeokuta, pending the resolution of a suit challenging the validity of his nomination.

The ruling followed a legal action by the Ogunsanya-Ariku Royal Family of Ilawo, who had sought to halt Macgregor’s installation and declare his claim to the throne invalid.

The family argued that the traditional process leading to Macgregor’s selection was flawed, claiming that the approved warrant chiefs had been substituted with unfamiliar names to nominate a candidate for the throne after the death of the former king on December 24, 2021.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Majekodunmi condemned the Ogun State government’s actions in installing Macgregor despite the ongoing court case. The judge described this as an act of “impunity and disregard for the court.”

Court Reverses Installation of Alexander Macgregor as Olu of Ilawo

Justice Majekodunmi emphasized that once a case is before the court, all parties are legally obliged to refrain from taking actions that could undermine the integrity of the judicial process.

“It is impunity and disregard to this court for the defendant to go ahead with the installation of the 7th defendant (Macgregor) despite the pending court case,” the judge stated.

“Immediately, a case is ongoing; people are under a legal duty not to go ahead with anything pending the determination of the suit. Doing such is tantamount to undermining the integrity of the court.”

The court issued an order of mandatory injunction, instructing Macgregor to stop parading himself as the Olu of Ilawo. The judge also ordered the immediate withdrawal of all symbols of authority and staff of office that had been conferred on Macgregor by the government.

Court Reverses Installation of Alexander Macgregor as Olu of Ilawo

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“The court hereby orders the withdrawal of staff of office and other things that make Macgregor as Olu of Ilawo pending the determination of the suit. The 7th defendant should also refrain from parading himself as Olu of Ilawo,” Justice Majekodunmi concluded.

The Ogunsanya-Ariku family had filed the suit after alleging that the Ilawo Traditional Council of Chiefs had unlawfully substituted the names of the legitimate warrant chiefs, undermining the traditional process. They had sought to halt the installation, challenging Macgregor’s claim to the throne.

In reaction to the court ruling, Dr. David Ogunsanya, the secretary to the Aiku and Ogunsanya dynasties, expressed his satisfaction with the judiciary’s decision to uphold justice.

“Today, we are elated to brief the distinguished members of the press that the installation of Mr. Olusegun Macgregor has been nullified and discarded by a competent court of law with an instruction that he should henceforth desist from parading himself as the Olu of Orile Ilawo,” Dr. Ogunsanya stated.

He also warned that any future actions contrary to the court’s decision would be treated as contempt of court.

“Going forward, any action contrary to this court ruling would, by our understanding of its dictates, amount to contempt of the court, which shall be reported to the appropriate quarters for every action,” he added.

The court’s ruling has effectively put a halt to Macgregor’s self-appointment as Olu of Ilawo, leaving the traditional throne under legal scrutiny until the suit is fully resolved.

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