An Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, on Monday dismissed an application filed by the Fuji Musician, Otunba Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, seeking to stop the selection process of the next Awujale.
KWAM 1, represented by Wahab Shittu (SAN), had approached the court to restrain Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and five other respondents from proceeding with the process, pending the determination of his substantive suit challenging the exercise.
The High court, led by Justice A. A. Omoniyi, ruled on Monday that the application lacked merit and refused to grant an interim injunction to halt the selection process for the next Awujale.
The judge consequently ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit and fixed January 14, 2026, for proceedings.
KWAM1 had declared interest in the vacant Awujale stool, claiming lineage from the Jadiara Royal House of the wider Fusengbuwa ruling house. His claim was, however, rejected by the Fusengbuwa ruling house, which insisted that the musician is not of royal lineage.
Following the rejection, the Fuji maestro dragged the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Abiodun, Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo; and Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, Dr Olorogun Sunny Kuku.
In the suit marked HC3/238/2025, filed under Orders 38 and 39 of the Ogun State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024 and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, KWAM1 urged the court to restrain the respondents “from taking any steps in the installation process of the next Awujale of Ijebuland pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
He argued that the injunction was necessary to protect his interest as an aspirant and to preserve the subject matter of the suit from being “dissipated or interfered with” by the respondents.
However, in a swift move, the State Government cancelled the ongoing Awujale selection process few days after the court challenge.
Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed the government’s decision to restart the process, citing procedural errors that could spark further litigation.
“The government wants strictly adhere to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law regarding the installation of the Awujale” Yusuf said.