The Ondo State High Court sitting in Ore has intervened in the leadership dispute over the traditional stool of the Ore community, ordering all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive case is determined. In a ruling delivered by Justice Ade Adegoroye, the court restrained High Chief Akindele Aladenika from presenting himself as the regent of the community, while also directing government authorities to withhold official recognition of the appointment.

The decision follows a legal challenge arising from the vacancy created by the death of the Olore of Ore, Oba Johnson Olatomide, in 2020. Although the Ondo State Government reportedly approved Aladenika’s appointment as regent, members of the Olore-in-Council opposed the move, insisting that the process should instead lead to the installation of a substantive monarch.

The suit was filed by four members of the Olore-in-Council—High Chief Monday Sawoju, High Chief Mrs Esther, Chief Tope Ijiniga and Chief Fakeye Sawoju. They asked the court to restrain the state government, its agencies and security authorities from recognising Aladenika as regent while the dispute over the stool remains before the court.

Also listed as defendants are the Governor of Ondo State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government and David Ijiniga. The plaintiffs further requested that the court set aside the nomination, approval and related actions that led to Aladenika’s appointment until the pending case is resolved.

In its ruling, the court held that there was already a subsisting injunction relating to the previous regency of the community, a matter that has not yet been concluded. Justice Adegoroye observed that installing another regent while the earlier proceedings remain pending could interfere with the administration of justice and potentially amount to contempt of court.

The judge consequently restrained the first to fourth defendants, as well as law enforcement agencies, from recognising Aladenika as the Regent of Ore pending the determination of the substantive suit. Aladenika was equally barred from holding himself out as regent until the court reaches a final decision on the matter.

The ruling places the focus on judicial resolution rather than administrative action in the ongoing chieftaincy dispute. By preserving the existing legal position, the court signalled that issues surrounding the succession to the Ore traditional stool must be resolved through due process, with all parties expected to await the outcome of the substantive proceedings before taking further steps.