The hearing over purported dethronement of Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adegboyega Famodun, by Governor Ademola Adeleke was stalled at the Federal High Court, Osogbo over absence of defendants’ counsel.
Oba Famodun was appointed by the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola but sacked by Adeleke who used warrant chiefs to appoint Oba Makinde Ponnle.
Subsequently, the traditional chiefs and kingmakers of Igbajo town kicked against appointment of Ponnle, dragging Adeleke and others to court.
At the court on Monday, the presiding judge, Justice Micheal Awe frowned the five defendants in the case including Oba Ademola Makinde, the Osun State government, Boluwaduro LG and warrant chiefs have not been coming to court.
Plaintiff counsel, Dr. Saka Layoonu criticised the defence’s absence as a disregard for the court and an attempt to delay proceedings since the case started in 2023.
Justice Awe warned that if the defendants fail to appear on November 1, the hearing will proceed without them.