…family members pass resolution to side with state government in court case filed by Otunba Lateef Owoyemi-led leadership team

By Paul Onogwu

The new ‘unified’ Olori Ebi (Family Head) of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Otukayode Otufale, says Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun deserves praise, and not condemnation, for suspending the Awujale selection process.

Otunba Otufale said this in his acceptance speech after he was unveiled as the new Olori Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House on Sunday at the Agunsebi Ule Nla, in Ijebu-Ode.

Otunba Otufale said the state government was justified in suspending the Awujale selection as the process was marred by irregularities.

“A responsible government cannot fold its arms when things are not being done correctly. The Governor, being the Chief Law Officer of the state, therefore intervened and stopped the process”, he said.

He added, “For those blaming the governor, we should instead be glad and appreciative that we have a governor who is a Prince and who has been bold and courageous enough to intervene to ensure that the process is free from fraud and irregularities.

“I will request that the Governor be appreciated by all well-meaning Princes, Princesses, and the people of Ijebu-Ode for his steadfastness in upholding the principle that a fair process must be followed.”

Otunba Otufale also kicked against the lawsuit filed by the Otunba Lateef Owoyemi-led leadership team at the Ogun State High Court, which seeks to compel the state government to lift the suspension of the Awujale selection process. He said the lawsuit, which has been adjourned to September 23, was filed without the knowledge of family members.

He added that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House will, upon the conclusion of the pending court cases, conduct a fresh selection process to determine the next Awujale of Ijebu Land.

He said, “The House under my leadership has instructed a lawyer to represent us and file an application seeking to join the House as an interested party.

“We, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, are not willing or interested in taking the government to court. The state government has been able to stop the (Awujale) Stool from being stolen, and when the restart button is pressed, we shall do a far better job in conducting the selection process than the mess created by the trio (the Otunba Lateef Owoyemi-led leadership team).”

Meanwhile, a resolution was moved and unanimously adopted by members present at the meeting for the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to join the lawsuit filed by the Otunba Owoyemi-led leadership team on the side of the state government.