Oyo Princes Drag Alaafin to Court Over Supremacy, Seek Injunctions
Some Princes of Oyo have instituted a legal action at the Oyo State High Court, Oyo town, challenging actions they claim could diminish the historic supremacy of the Alaafin of Oyo.
Global Mirror News gathered that the suit, marked HOY/18/2026, was filed by Ladigbolu Adegboyega, Owoade Tesleem, Adeyemi Adesina and Adeyemi Adebayo against the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade. The court has summoned the monarch to appear either personally or through legal representation.
In their originating processes, the Princes are seeking multiple declaratory and injunctive reliefs, including a perpetual injunction restraining the Alaafin from attending events or performing functions they argue are unbecoming of his position as the symbolic and traditional head of the Yoruba race.
The claimants also want the court to restrain the Alaafin from acting in any manner that could render him subservient or inferior to any other Oba in Yorubaland, insisting that such conduct undermines the dignity and historic authority of the Alaafinate.
According to the suit, the Princes are asking the court to affirm that the office of the Alaafin of Oyo is of immense historical, cultural and political significance, not only in Yorubaland but across Nigeria, West Africa and beyond. They further seek a declaration recognising the Alaafin as a symbol of unity and the custodian of Yoruba cultural and traditional heritage.
In addition, the claimants want the court to declare the Alaafin as the Paramount ruler and appointing authority over all chieftaincies in Oyo town, as well as Oyo North and Oyo South.
Court documents indicate that the defendant is expected to enter an appearance by filing the necessary documents at the High Court registry or through registered post. No hearing date has been fixed.
Global Mirror News also gathered that the legal action is linked to lingering disputes over hierarchy within the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, especially following the reconstitution and grading of Traditional Rulers by successive State administrations. Tensions reportedly intensified with the recognition of the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso as co-chairmen of the council.
The controversy deepened after the Alaafin was notably absent from the inauguration of the council by Governor Seyi Makinde on January 16, 2026. There have also been reported supremacy disagreements between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Efforts by Global Mirror News to obtain a reaction from the palace spokesman, Bode Durojaiye, were unsuccessful as calls were not returned as of the time of filing this report.
