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A descendant of the Okewaye Ruling House in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, Kabir Olawale Alagbe, has faulted social media reports claiming that a state High Court recognised Prince Sulaimon Babatunde Adedimeji as the authentic Olori Ebi of the ruling house.
Alagbe insisted that the judgment did not determine the disputed position on its merits.
Alagbe, a retired director in the Federal Civil Service, said the reports, particularly a publication by the Ado-Odo Today Facebook page, misrepresented the outcome of Suit No. HCI/19/2024 before the Ogun State High Court, Idi Oke, Igbesa.
He explained that the judgment delivered by Justice Durojaiye was based on Terms of Settlement between Adedimeji and Prince Mufutau Francis Adekunle, the eighth defendant in the suit, and should not be interpreted as a judicial determination of the competing claims to the position of Olori Ebi.
According to him, other defendants, including the Ogun State Government, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, were not parties to the settlement.
“The court did not determine the competing claims on who is Olori Ebi of Okewaye on merits. It merely adopted the agreement reached between the settling parties,” Alagbe said in a clarification statement.
He argued that presenting the consent judgment as a ruling granting all the claimant’s substantive reliefs against every defendant was misleading.
He added that an agreement between individual parties should not automatically be construed as the position of the entire ruling house or an endorsement by government authorities that were not parties to the settlement.
Alagbe disclosed that Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government had filed a Notice of Appeal dated May 8, 2026, challenging the consent judgment. He said the appeal was pending before the Court of Appeal, Ibadan.
He urged stakeholders to exercise restraint and allow the judicial process to run its course.
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The retired civil servant also faulted calls allegedly made by Adedimeji and Adekunle for a fresh nomination exercise to fill the vacant stool of Olofin of Ado-Odo.
He maintained that the stool was not vacant, arguing that the pending appeal made it inappropriate to present disputed claims as settled legal facts.
Alagbe warned that inaccurate accounts of court proceedings could fuel confusion and heighten tensions within the community. He urged residents, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to pursue their differences through lawful channels.
He also appealed to journalists and social media administrators to verify court documents before publishing reports on the dispute.
Specifically, he called on the administrators of the Ado-Odo Today Facebook page to correct the disputed publication and ensure that subsequent reports distinguished the Terms of Settlement adopted by the court from the broader claims surrounding the judgment.
Alagbe further commended efforts to maintain peace in Ado-Odo over the past two years under the reign of Oba Olusola Idris Lamidi-Osolo, Otenibotemole II, the Oba of Ado and Olofin Adimula Oodua of Aworiland.
He urged residents to sustain the atmosphere of peace and continue their lawful activities while the legal dispute proceeds through the appropriate channels.
Identifying himself as a descendant of Olorogun (Prince) Asade Gandi, also known as Oba Oduila Liwaye, Alagbe said his lineage was associated with the Okewaye Ruling House.
He described his ancestor as a war captain and co-signatory to the Anglo-Ado Treaty of June 27, 1863.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law, peaceful coexistence and the protection of Ado-Odo’s traditional heritage.
