Appeal Court Upholds Monarch’s Dethronement

Zaki Arigidi
Zaki Arigidi

The Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko in Akoko North West area of Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun was yesterday dethroned by the Court of Appeal, Akure Division.

The court ordered the monarch to vacate the throne and stop parading himself as the traditional ruler of the ancient town.

The court also set aside the approval of the state government to the appointment of Olanipekun.

Ruling on an appeal brought by Olanipekun against the ruling of the state High Court which earlier ordered him to vacate the stool, the appellate court held that the approval was done in disobedience to a court order.

While delivering her judgment Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Justice Cordilia Jombo-Ofo and Justice Abubakar Gumel unanimously agreed that the approval be given to the selection of Olanipekun as the Zaki of Arigidi was done in error.

Justice Gumel said the lower court had on November 3, 2008 ordered the parties in the suit to stay further action on the issue, but that the state government went ahead on November 5, 2008 to approve the selection.

He however, noted that the injunction granted by the lower court did not affect the action taken by the kingmakers on October 28, 2008.

Oba Olanipekun had approached the Appeal Court to challenge the ruling of Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi of the state High Court which restrained him from parading himself as the traditional ruler of Arigidi-Akoko.

The suit in the lower court, filed by two of the town’s princes, Tunde Olanipekun and Alfred Oloruntola against Salawu Olanipekun and Yisa Olanipekun to challenge the Zaki of Arigidi Chieftaincy Declaration of Arigidi 1989 and the selection and appointment of Olanipekun.

Reacting to the judgement, Oba Olanipekun, yesterday, said that he will challenge the Court of Appeal judgement at the the Supreme Court.

“My selection by the kingmakers cannot be faulted,” Olanipekun said.

“There is no shaking, I am still the Zaki of Arigidi, Insha-Allah.”