A ruling house in Ipokia, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, has cautioned Governor Dapo Abiodun to discontinue his support for Yisa Olusola Olaniyan who still parades himself as the Onipokia of Ipokia despite a court decree ordering his dethronement in March 2022.

In a fresh letter dated December 13, 2022 and seen by Peoples Gazette, the Iwaye-Dodo royal family referenced Justice O. Ogunfowora’s judgement issued on March 3, 2022 which ordered Mr Olaniyan to vacate the royal stool pending the “hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for injunction” filed by Adebola Asade, Adepegba Asade and Akinleye Alaba Asade, all princes and princess of the royal family.

The selection of Mr Olaniyan as the monarch had been disputed in a statement of claim dated May 30, 2019, also seen by The Gazette.

Knowing his selection was being contested, Mr Olaniyan had dubiously sought the backing of the Ogun State government under Mr Abiodun’s administration to be crowned the traditional ruler of Ipokia on August 19, 2020 despite the case being in court.

Mr Olaniyan’s hasty installation, perceived as a way to outsmart the court, was thereafter thwarted by Justice Ogunfowora.

“The approval of the appointment of the 11th Defendant by the 1st – 3rd Defendants is hereby set aside pending the hearing and determination of the Claimants’ application for Interlocutory Injunction filed on 1st June, 2020,” reads the ruling issued in March 2022.

His dethronement meant he was no longer permitted to reside in the two palaces designated for the Onipokia of Ipokia nor participate in festivities as a king, lawyers to the ruling house said.

In spite of the ruling, Mr Olaniyan continued to illegally portray himself as the Onipokia, according to the letter sent to the office of  Ogun governor

“However, despite the above order of the court, Yisa Olusola Olaniyan has continued to recklessly, lawlessly and most irresponsibly carry-out the functions and duties as Onipokia of Ipokia in flagrant disobedience of the valid and subsisting order of the High Court of Ogun State,” reads the letter addressed to Mr Abiodun.

His attitude to the ruling combined with the support he enjoys under Mr Abiodun’s administration prompted a warning from the ruling house to persons aiding Mr Olaniyan to flagrantly disobey a court order.

“We wish to further warn anyone who violates the exiting order of a Court of competent jurisdiction that we shall invoke the full weights of the law to proceed against them, and contempt proceedings shall immediately be initiated with a view to sending such person(s) to jail for  flagrant disobedience of a valid and subsisting order of the High Court of Ogun State,” stated the letter.

The petitioners further recommended that the palace at the Market Square in Ipokia and mini palace at the Iwaye-Dodo ruling family house be immediately sealed off. They said this will forestall a breakdown of law and order.

Mr Abiodun was also asked to prevent Mr Olaniyan “from further parading himself as Onipokia of Ipokia or performing the function(s) or duties of Onipokia of Ipokia (pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Injunction, as contained in the order of Court).”

They also urged Mr Abiodun to deploy all “security officers and officers of all other agencies in the State to enforce the order of Court and prevent a break-down of law and order in Ipokialand.”