An Ondo High Court has deposed Oba Michael Adetunji, the first-class monarch of Ose Local Council in Ondo State, known as the Olute of Ute.
Oba Adetunji, a retired military officer, was dethroned after a 29-year-long chieftaincy tussle between the Olule Omoloja ruling house and the dethroned Oba. Justice Enikuomehin ruled that the retired major must cease parading himself as the Olute.
The court ordered a fresh selection process from within the Olule Omoloja ruling lineage and awarded damages. It also affirmed that Oluwole had no right to the throne as a member of the kingmakers.
Counsel to the claimant, Mr. Adewumi Fabuluje, hailed the judgment as a victory for the Olule Omoloja Ruling House. He noted that the case, which began in 1995, had traversed all levels of the judiciary, and was returned to the High Court by the Supreme Court for a fresh hearing after a judgment was awarded at the Appellate Court.