Tension has escalated in Iloro-Ekiti following a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal that ordered the removal of Oba James Oluwafemi Olugbesoye, the Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti. The judgment, delivered virtually on August 31, 2026, upheld an earlier decision by the Ekiti State High Court that deposed the monarch from his position.

The legal representative for the plaintiff, Falade Olasunkanmi, confirmed that the court's ruling affirmed the High Court's decision entirely, stating, "That is just it — deposing him." Olasunkanmi described the atmosphere in Iloro-Ekiti as jubilant, indicating that the community is pleased with the court's decision. He noted that the court did not dispute the legitimacy of Olugbesoye's appointment but highlighted his failure to perform essential traditional rites required by local customs.

According to Olasunkanmi, the court emphasized that while the appointment was valid, the monarch's inability to fulfill the necessary traditional rituals disqualified him from holding the title. This sentiment was echoed by the court's findings, which pointed out that Oba Olugbesoye acknowledged he did not complete these rites.

In response to the ruling, Ezekiel Agunbiade, the lawyer representing Oba Olugbesoye, criticized the court's decision, asserting that his team had not yet received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment. Agunbiade stated, "We listened to the judgment as a team, and the basis upon which the court... is that the court confirmed that Oba Olugbesoye was properly selected and appointed, but there is no sufficient evidence to show that he actually underwent both the rites and the ceremony."

He further contended that the court's requirement for pictorial evidence was unjust, claiming that the monarch had submitted around 32 photographs as proof of his coronation and the accompanying traditional rites. Agunbiade confirmed that an appeal has been filed with the Supreme Court, along with a request for a stay of execution of the judgment.

Oba Olugbesoye expressed his shock at the court's verdict, arguing that those who initiated the lawsuit lacked the legal standing to challenge his position. He maintained that he had fulfilled all traditional requirements for his coronation, which he claimed was well-documented and attended by numerous dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State at the time.

The monarch explained that the traditions of Iloro-Ekiti and Ijero-Ekiti are closely linked, and he performed some of his traditional rites in Ijero, as has been customary for past monarchs. He also pointed out that the candidate presented by the opposing side is deceased and was scheduled for burial on the same day as the court's ruling.

As the situation unfolds, the community of Iloro-Ekiti remains on edge, awaiting further developments as Oba Olugbesoye seeks redress from the Supreme Court.