The Falade and Adetunji families of Iroko in Oyo state have approached the state high court to assert their right as ruling houses eligible to produce the next Oniroko of Iroko.
The suit, filed by Taiwo Popoola, John Adedokun, and Okunola Falana on behalf of the two families, challenged the claim of the Opeola ruling house, currently represented by Saka Fansanya, to be the sole custodian of the Oniroko stool.
Michael Lana, their lawyer, cited an appeal court judgment affirming the rotation of the chieftaincy stool among the three ruling houses: Opeola, Falade, and Adetunji.
He argued that the Opeola house’s reliance on a 1976 gazette, which the court has since nullified, is unlawful.
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The dispute follows the death of the immediate past Oniroko, Oba Ismail Olasunkanmi of the Opeola house, on May 30, 2025.
The claimants insist it is now the turn of Falade and Adetunji houses to produce the next Oniroko.
According to NAN, at the latest hearing on Monday, Lana informed the court that further hearing on the suit could not proceed due to the death of Owolabi Olakulehin, the immediate past Olubadan of Ibadanland, a key defendant in the case.
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The court granted an adjournment to allow substitution of Rashidi Ladoja, the new Olubadan, as a party to the suit.
G.A. Opayinka, the presiding judge, adjourned the case to December 1 and issued hearing notices to the absent defendants, including Fansanya and the Akinyele LGAs.
