Sacked Ondo monarch dies at 92

Peter Dada,  Akure

The monarch of Okeigbo Community in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State,  Oba Lawrence Babajide, has passed away.

The monarch, who was recently sacked by the state High Court over an ineligibility issue, was said to have joined his ancestors at the age of 92. He had, however, challenged his sack at the court of appeal,  before he passed on.

It was gathered that the Pakoyi (Baba Loja) of Okeigbo Kingdom, Chief Akinbobola Adedigbo, announced the death of the first-class monarch, at the main market of the community, on Friday.

To this end, the traditional chiefs of the town were said to have immediately commenced the traditional rites over the incident.

The late Babajide was enthroned as he was officially presented a staff of office by the state governor,  Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, on September 14,  2018, but was sacked by the court in 2023 after two princes from the Aare Kugbaigbe Ruling House – Rufus Adekanye and Temitope Adeoye,  the Head and the Secretary of the ruling house respectively approached the court to challenge his enthronement by the state government. The kingmakers were also joined in the suit.

The aggrieved princes claimed that Oba Babajide was not a member of the Aare Kugbaigbe which in turn was to present a candidate to the throne,  saying the stool was still vacant.

Justice Ademola Enikuemehin granted the prayers of the claimants,  as he dismissed the enthronement of late Oba Babajide.

The matter was still pending at the appeal court when death came on the monarch.

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