Mimiko, Council Chairman Dragged To Court Over Arigidi Kingship Tussle

Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the Chairman of Akoko North-West Local Council Area, Joseph Aladetimehin, have been dragged before an Ondo State High Court sitting in Ikare over chieftaincy tussle.

Mimiko and Aladetimehin were allegedly accused of imposing Alhaji Yisa Olanipekun on the community and prayed the court to stop him from parading himself as the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, as directed by the court of appeal.

This is contained in a suit marked: HIK/15/2015 filed by Prince Tunde Olanipekun before the court through his lawyer, Olalekan Akinrinsola of Femi Emmanuel Emodamori & Co. Other defendants in the case include the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, the state Attorney General, Alhaji Yisa Olanipekun, Pa Salau Olanipekun (Head of Irara family) and A.O. Oloruntoba (Head, Arigidi kingmakers).

The plaintiff implored the court to compel the governor, council chairman, kingmakers and others to respect the two separate judgments earlier delivered by the courts of competent jurisdiction.

The Guardian gathered that Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi of the State High Court and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of the Appeal Court, consecutively nullified the selection and appointment of Yisa as the Zaki of the ancient town in their judgments of July 25, 2011 and June 19, 2013 respectively.

Olanipekun prayed the Ikare High Court to set aside the October 3, 2014 judgment of Justice Bode Adegbehingbe of the State High Court as it did not supersede the superior verdict of the appellate court.

The plaintiff also sought for determination, “whether it is not unlawful and/or illegal for the 3rd defendant (Yisa) to arrogate to himself the recognized chieftaincy title of Zaki of Arigidi and continue to parade himself as such when the Court of Appeal in its judgment in suit CA/AK/102/2011: Pa Salau Olanipekun & 1 or vs Prince Tunde Olanipekun & 1 or delivered on June 19, 2013 had affirmed the earlier judgment of this court setting aside the approval of the 3rd Defendant as the Zàki of Arigidi by the 5th to 7th Defendants.

“He urged the court to determine, “whether the judgment of Honourable Justice Bode Adegbehingbe of the Ondo State High Court delivered on 3rd day of October, 2014 in suit: HIK/20/2008: Prince Tunde Olanipekun vs Pa Salau Olanipekun & 6 Ors superseded and/or nullified the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, delivered on 19th June, 2013 in Appeal No. CA/AK/102/2011 affirming the earlier judgment of this court per Hon. Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi (CJ), setting aside the approval of the 3rd Defendant (Yisa) as the Zaki of Arigidi by the 5th (governor) to 7th (Attorney General) defendants as well as an order of injunction restraining the 3rd Defendant from parading himself as such.” The originating summons of the fresh suit indicates that all the seven defendants are given seven days to file their reply.