An Ondo state high court sitting in Ondo city has dismissed a case filed against Ondo State government by the suspended monarch of Igburowo in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, Oba Pius Adewole, challenging his suspension from office as the Akamuja of Igburowo.
The state government had through a letter dated November 12, 2012 suspended Oba Adewole pending the report of an administrative panel of enquiry set up by government to look into an alleged reports of gross misconducts and abuse of office against the traditional ruler.
Not satisfied with the development, Adewole through his counsel, Bode Akinkoye, approached the court to seek redress and joined the state government as a respondent in the suit, saying his fundamental human right was trampled upon.
In his defense, counsel to the state government, John Olowokere posited that the suspension slammed on the applicant was in order as it was done in the interest of the people of the community, adding that government relied on the provision of Cap 27 of the Chief's law of Ondo State which empowers it to suspend or depose any erring monarch in the interest of public order and safety among other things.
Citing a supreme court judgement in Badejo vs Federal Ministry of Education, (1996), Olowokere posited that what government did was to protect the larger community as its interest supersed that of an individual.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice S. Olorundahunsi upheld the arguments of Olowokere and dismissed the case for lack of merit.
