A dramatic turn of events unfolded in the Ibadan High Court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as the family of Emiolu Ruling House was preparing for a final judgment day in the case to produce Arẹsa-Adu of Iresa-Adu.
However, the proceedings took an unexpected twist when a new lawyer appeared in court claiming to represent Emiolu Ruling House, seeking to join the matter before the hearing could proceed.
The development has been described as a sabotage from within the Emiolu Ruling House, with the family’s lead counsel, Barrister Michael Lana, expressing deep frustration and disappointment.
According to Lana, some individuals within the Emiolu Ruling House have been making efforts to cause unnecessary delay and hinder the family’s chances of winning the case.
The case, which has been ongoing since August 2024, revolves around the rightful claimant to the throne of Arẹsa-Adu of Iresa-Adu. In a previous ruling, Honourable Justice K.A Adedokun ruled in favour of Emiolu Ruling House, stating that Prince Adeyeye Oyerinde cannot be the sole representative of the Oshunbiyi Ruling House, as he is only from one of the five branches of the family.
The judge also ruled that the joint leadership of the Oshunbiyi Ruling House has denied the existence of any selection process that produced Prince Oyerinde Adeyeye within their family, and therefore, the Oshunbiyi family does not recognize him as an Oba. This victory allows Emiolu Ruling House to move on to the substantive matter, arguing that Prince Adeyeye Oyerinde is not a king and that it is the turn of Emiolu Ruling House to present a new Aresa of Iresa-Adu.
The Emiolu family elders were shocked and disappointed by the sudden appearance of the new lawyer, who claimed to represent their interest. Pa Prince Julius Olanipekun, the Mogaji of Emiolu Ruling House, expressed his outrage, stating that the current case constituted by Barrister Michael Lana is a watertight case with the greatest merits.
“We came here for final hearing, and for someone or a group of people within Emiolu family to sabotage all our efforts again after 7 years of back and forth court battles is unforgivable, and we will get to the bottom of this, and God will reveal these evil doers amongst us,” Pa Olanipekun said.
The adjournment of the case has left the Emiolu family elders with deep disappointment, wondering how an unknown lawyer to them could come in and delay court proceedings at the very last minute on the final day of hearing.
