Iralepo chieftaincy: Deji’s palace appeals judgment

‘Court of Appeal ruling on Isinkan’s status binding’

The Palace of Deji of Akure has appealed against the High Court judgment concerning the recognition of the Iralepo chieftaincy title of Isikan, insisting that the ruling does not invalidate existing Court of Appeal decisions recognising the Iralepo as a quarter chief under the authority of the Deji.

The palace, while assuring residents of Akure and Isikan that there was no cause for alarm, said the dispute would be pursued through appropriate judicial channels without undermining the peace and cordial relations maintained in the communities over the years.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji, Michael Adeyeye, the palace said it had been briefed on the judgment delivered by Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi, on October 12, in Suit No. AK/434/2022.

The suit concerns the report of the Justice C.E.T. Ajama panel and the White Paper on the recognition of the Iralepo chieftaincy under Part I of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State.

The palace said it would ordinarily have refrained from commenting on the judgment, but decided to respond to what it described as misrepresentations of the court’s decision.

It maintained that the judgment did not invalidate the subsisting Court of Appeal decisions on the status of the Iralepo of Isikan as a quarter chief in Akureland.

Citing a judgment delivered by the Ondo State High Court on June 2 in Suit No. AK/156/2023, the palace said the court affirmed that Isikan and Isolo were part of Akureland under the authority of the Deji.

It also relied on the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 21, 2025, in Appeal No. CA/AK/69/2022, which set aside an earlier High Court judgment delivered on March 17, 2022, concerning the elevation of the Iralepo chieftaincy.

According to the palace, the appellate court declared that the Iralepo title could not be admitted into Part I of the Chiefs Law as a recognised chieftaincy without the concurrence, agreement and consent of the Deji of Akure.

It further stated that the Court of Appeal recognised Isikan as a quarter in Akureland and the Iralepo of Isikan as a quarter chief under the Deji.

The palace added that the appellate court had issued an order restraining the relevant authorities from recognising or installing anyone as Iralepo under Part I of the Chiefs Law without the Deji’s consent.

It argued that the Court of Appeal judgment remained valid and binding because, according to the palace, it had not been set aside by the Supreme Court.

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The statement further cited Section 287(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, in support of its position that the judgment must be given effect.

The palace also referred to earlier judicial decisions and a 1943 judgment involving the Deji of Akure and the Owa of Idanre, which it said had addressed issues relating to land ownership and traditional authority in Akureland.

It faulted the latest high court judgment for what it considered a failure to give sufficient weight to existing judicial pronouncements and the Ondo State government’s position on the chieftaincy dispute.

The palace noted that its response was not intended to create tension between Akure and Isikan, stressing that the matter would be resolved through the legal process.

It disclosed that the Deji had directed his lawyers to immediately challenge the judgment before an appellate court.

The statement added that the legal dispute would not affect the subsisting peace in the communities, assuring residents that the Deji would continue to discharge his traditional responsibilities as a father to all, irrespective of the disagreements surrounding the chieftaincy.

The palace urged members of the public to remain calm as the legal process continues.