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Five Years After Banishment, Deposed Akure Monarch Makes Court Appearance Causing Public Confusion

November 11, 2015

Uneasy calm now pervades Akure, the Ondo State capital, following Tuesday's public appearance of the deposed Monarch, Prince Adesina Adepoju, five years after his banishment from the throne by the State government.

Uneasy calm now pervades Akure, the Ondo State capital, following Tuesday's  public appearance of the deposed Monarch, Prince Adesina Adepoju, five years after his banishment from the throne by the State government.

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Prince ‎‎Adepoju's public appearance came after he challenged his dethronement at the State High Court in Akure.  Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo was installed as the new Monarch by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Prince Adepoju was removed by the State government on June 10th, 2010 for allegedly assaulting one of his estranged wives, the late Mrs. Bolanle Adepoju, in public.

He was banished to a secluded village in Owo, Owo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State ‎over the offence.

At a court hearing on Tuesday, Olalekan Ojo, counsel to the deposed Deji, explained to the court that his client has a right to the Deji's throne and claimed that he was wrongly removed by the State government.

Mr. Ojo sought a court order declaring Prince Adepoju as the Deji of Akure land.

Bode Aladelusi, the Principal Legal Adviser (PLA), told the court he was not properly served a court motion seeking the re-installation of the deposed king.

Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, Chief Judge of Ondo State, presided over the case and adjourned it until December 8th, 2015.  

There was anxiety among residents as the deposed monarch danced alongside his supporters through the major road of Akure.

A crowd of supporters was seen passing messages to motorists and sympathizers announcing that the banishment of deposed Deji was lifted by the court and that Prince Adepoju may be re-installed to the throne.

The message caused confusion across the city, particularly amongst the traders of Oba’s Market who feared that the deposed Deji’s re-installment could affect their business.

Both the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of the State Security Services (DSS) worked together to pressure Prince Adepoju to leave the vicinity as they feared his presence caused a threat to the security of Ondo State.  

‎The deposed Deji was immediately driven to his rented hotel where he later received sympathizers.