THE MILITARY GOV. OF ONDO STATE THE ONDO STATE COMM. FOR LOCAL GOVT. AND CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS THE SECRETARY, MOBA LOCAL GOVT. OSENI OMOMEJI IDOWU ADEBIYI (FOR HIMSELF AND ON BEHALF OF GBOGI FAMILY) AJEKIGBE ELEREBI (FOR HIMSELF AND ON BEHALF OF SAKARAITA FAMILY) V. JAMES OLAGUNJU KOLAWOLE (FOR HIMSELF AND ON BEHALF OF OBAJEU RULING HOUSE) JAMES BABALOLA KODE (FOR HIMSELF AND ON BEHALF OF IMORO RULING HOUSE) JOSEPH ADEBAYO OYINLOYE (FOR HIMSELF AND ON BEHALF OF ILE-TITUN RULING HOUSE). SAMUELADEBOWALE ADEAGBO (FOR HIMSELF AND ON BEHALF OF ILE-IYABA RULING HOUSE). SAMUEL AJAYI

MUHAMMAD JSC (Delivering the Lead Judgment): The plaintiffs/ respondents were from five different RulingHouses of Oore of Otun throne in Ondo State, now Ekiti State. Each sued on his behalf and on behalf of his family belonging to his rulinghouse. They all averred that each has interest and a right to become Oore of Otun.

The 1st-3rd defendants/appellants were each sued in his own behalf and on behalf of his family house.

The 4th defendant is the Chief Executive of Ondo State who is empowered to approve/disapprove of an amended or new Chieftaincy

Declaration made by a Chieftaincy Committee, or amend or make a new declaration. The 5th defendant/appellant is the Commissioner for Local

Government and Chieftaincy affairs in Ondo State. The 6th defendant/ appellant is the Secretary to Moba Local Government who sets in motion the machinery for filling a vacancy created in any recognized chieftaincy. Plaintiffs averred that there are five ruling houses for the Oore of Otun Chieftaincy:

Imoro Ru…