Abeokuta, June 20, 2026 — A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olumide Sofowora, has urged the Ogun State Government to immediately commence the selection process for a new Alakenne of Ikenne, in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment that nullified the previous appointment to the throne.
Sofowora, who represents Prince Yomi Ademola Adeyiga-Odeneye in the chieftaincy dispute, made the call in letters dated June 4 and June 16, 2026, addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Attorney-General of the state, and relevant chieftaincy authorities.
He reminded the state government of its legal obligation to implement the Supreme Court ruling delivered on April 24, 2026, which upheld earlier decisions declaring the selection and appointment of Prince Mosudi Adeyinka Onakade as Alakenne “illegal, null and void.”
“The Supreme Court has made its position clear, and continued recognition of any invalid appointment would amount to contempt of court,” Sofowora stated in the correspondence.
The apex court also affirmed the validity of the Alakenne of Ikenne Chieftaincy Declaration Edict of 1998, which governs the selection process for the traditional stool.
While allowing Prince Onakade to participate in any future selection exercise, the court set aside all actions taken during his tenure and restrained him from continuing to parade himself as the Alakenne.
Sofowora further urged the government to activate the statutory process for selecting a new monarch, noting that the Obara Ruling House is entitled to present the next candidate. He identified Prince Obasola Soneye as the current head of the ruling house.
According to him, the Ikenne-Remo traditional stool has remained vacant for 42 years since the passing of Oba Gilbert Akindoyin Awomuti in 1984, describing the prolonged vacancy as “an anomaly that must now be corrected.”
He also called on the government to direct the issuance of official notices to begin the selection process, in line with the Ogun State Chiefs Law.
Copies of the letters were acknowledged by the Governor’s Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Ikenne Local Government.
The development is expected to intensify renewed discussions within the Ikenne-Remo community as stakeholders await the commencement of the long-delayed selection process.
