Prince Oluwayomi Ademola Odeneye-Adeyiga MCIPR has expressed profound gratitude to his legal team following a landmark Supreme Court judgment that declared the stool of Alakenne of Ikenne vacant, effectively ending Prince Mosudi Adeyinka Onakade’s occupation of the throne.
In a heartfelt appreciation note, Adeyiga-Odeneye specifically lauded the exceptional leadership of Olumide Sofowora SAN.
He commended Sofowora’s “exceptional legal representation, wisdom, courage, and commitment” throughout the protracted legal battle.
“Your steadfast dedication to justice, professionalism, and belief in the cause gave many of us renewed confidence and hope during the course of this long legal journey. Your leadership and brilliance before the courts will never be forgotten,” Prince Adeyiga-Odeneye stated in his note.
He also extended his appreciation to Philip Tagbo Esq, Muyiwa Esan Esq, Funke Adeoye Esq, and the entire legal team for their “tireless efforts, sacrifices, and support from beginning to the successful conclusion of the case.”
The Prince concluded his message by invoking blessings upon the legal team, praying for continued strength, upliftment, and abundant rewards for their unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the people.
He conveyed his gratitude on behalf of himself and numerous appreciative sons and daughters of Ikenne for their invaluable service.
This appreciation followed Adeyiga-Odeneye’s victory at the Supreme Court over the prolonged legal battle that entrapped the Alakenne stool.
In its judgment (SC/CV/530/2024), a certified true copy of which was made available to journalist, the Supreme Court, sitting in Abuja on 24 April 2026, upheld the Ibadan Appeal Court’s decision which faulted Prince Mosudi Adeyinka Onakade’s nomination and installation as Alakenne of Ikenne and declared the stool vacant.
The Ibadan Appeal Court had earlier in 2024 dismissed the Sagamu, Ogun State High Court’s ruling upholding Oba Onakade’s installation and its ‘no vacancy on the stool’ declaration, holding that the process that produced Prince Onakade violated the valid Alakenne of Ikenne Chieftaincy Declaration Edict of 1998.
The Supreme Court also dismissed a separate appeal filed by the Ogun State Government, reinforcing the appellate court’s decision without alteration.
The apex court emphasized that the 1998 Chieftaincy Declaration remains the sole valid legal framework for the selection of the Alakenne and must be strictly adhered to in any future process.
The court, however, clarified that it lacked jurisdiction to bar Onakade from participating in a fresh selection process, leaving him eligible to contest for the stool again.
With this judgment, the Supreme Court established a key legal principle.
The apex court reaffirmed an important Nigerian chieftaincy law principle: where a registered chieftaincy declaration prescribes a succession procedure, substantial compliance is mandatory, and any appointment made contrary to the declaration is liable to be nullified
