Ogun Court Dismisses KWAM 1’s Bid To Halt Awujale Selection Process
An Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode on Monday dismissed an application by Fuji musician Otunba Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, seeking to halt the selection process of the next Awujale.
Ayinde, from the Fidipote ruling house, had approached the court to challenge why only the Fusengbuwa ruling house was being considered to produce the next Awujale. He filed the suit against Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, asking the court to stop the installation process pending the outcome of his lawsuit.
Other respondents in the case, filed as HC3/238/2025, include the Executive Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Secretary to Ijebu-Ode Local Government, and the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council.
Justice A. A. Omoniyi ruled that the application lacked merit and refused to grant an interim injunction to stop the selection of the new Awujale. However, the court scheduled an accelerated hearing, with proceedings set to begin on January 14, 2026.
Ayinde’s lawsuit claims that the succession process violates the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law and infringes on his constitutional rights.
In response to the legal challenge, the state government temporarily halted the Awujale selection process. Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, explained that the suspension was due to procedural errors, noting that the government intends to strictly follow the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law in the installation of the Awujale.
