The Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode on Monday declined an application by popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, also known as KWAM1, seeking an interim injunction to stop Governor Dapo Abiodun and five other parties from continuing with the process of selecting and installing the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Ayinde, who was represented by Wahab Shittu (SAN), had asked the court to grant the injunction pending the determination of his substantive suit challenging the ongoing selection process.
However, Justice A. A. Omoniyi turned down the request, ruling that the application for interim injunction lacked merit and that no compelling grounds were presented to warrant such relief.
The judge subsequently ordered that the substantive suit be heard on an accelerated basis and fixed January 14, 2026, for further proceedings.
KWAM1 had earlier expressed interest in the vacant Awujale stool, asserting that he traces his lineage to the Jadiara Royal House under the broader Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
His claim was, however, rejected by the Fusengbuwa ruling house, which maintained that he does not belong to the royal lineage.
In response, Ayinde instituted legal action against the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Governor Abiodun, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and three other parties.
The remaining respondents include the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo; and the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, Dr Olorogun Sunny Kuku.
The suit, marked HC3/238/2025, was filed ex parte and anchored on Order 38 Rules 4 and Order 39 Rule 1 of the High Court of Ogun State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024, Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
Court documents dated December 16, 2025, obtained by our correspondent, showed that Ayinde urged the court to restrain all respondents from taking further steps in the Awujale selection process in order to protect his interest and prevent interference with the subject matter of the suit.
He specifically asked the court to restrain the respondents, “their agents, or anyone acting on their behalf, from taking any steps in the installation process of the next Awujale of Ijebuland pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
The musician maintained that he is an aspirant to the Awujale stool and that the injunction was necessary “to secure his interest and preserve the res from being dissipated or interfered with by the respondents.”
With the refusal of the interim injunction, focus now shifts to the substantive hearing slated for January 14, 2026, which is expected to determine the outcome of KWAM1’s claim to the Awujale stool.