The Osun State High Court in Ilesa has refused to halt the coronation of Oba Clement Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, paving the way for the ceremony to proceed as scheduled today. Justice M. Agboola ruled on Thursday that the court cannot consider the application to stop the coronation until the issue of proper service of court documents on Oba Haastrup is resolved.
The Arimoro family of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House filed a lawsuit against Governor Ademola Adeleke, Commissioner Dosu Babatunde, Attorney General Oluwole Jimi-Bada, and the Ilesa kingmakers, with the case registered as HL/8/25. During Thursday’s proceedings, Oyebola Odeleye, counsel for the claimant, informed the court of a pending application to stop Haastrup’s coronation and urged the court to allow him to move it.
A Chief State Counsel, Muyiwa Ogunleye, representing Adeleke and the two commissioners, drew the court’s attention to an application filed by Oluwasesan Dada, counsel for the first respondent, seeking to set aside service of the claimant’s process on his client, claiming his client had not been properly served with the claimant’s application.
Ogunleye stated that Dada informed the court Haastrup was in seclusion, inaccessible when the claimant alleged the process was served. Justice Agboola ruled the service issue must be resolved before hearing the application to stop the coronation and adjourned the matter until July 3.
“It’s so sad that these pleadings were extended over four months instead of 60 days. Both parties have not been serious about the case.
“However, until the pending application has been addressed, it will be unwise for the court to grant the interlocutory injunction,” Agboola said.
The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Osun Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corps have deployed personnel to ensure a smooth coronation ceremony.
The event, which will take place at Obokungbusi Hall in Ilesa and have a reception at Ilesa Grammar School, is expected to attract prominent dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond. The Osun NSCDC has appealed for cooperation from attendees to guarantee a hitch-free ceremony.
“The command under the leadership of Commandant Igbalawole Sotiyo is working closely with other sister agencies to ensure comprehensive security arrangements for the coronation of the Owa Obokun Adimula, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, which will be held on 23rd May 2025.
“In anticipation of a large turnout, NSCDC has deployed a significant number of personnel to manage the crowd, prevent disruptions, and ensure the safety of dignitaries and attendees.
“NSCDC patrol teams are already on the ground, maintaining a visible presence to deter potential security threats,” the statement read.
Additionally, Agnes Ogungbemi, Osun Sector Public Education Officer of the FRSC, stated that operatives had been deployed to routes around the ceremony venues to ensure smooth vehicular and human traffic flow.
