Court Bars Soun of Ogbomoso and Kingmakers from Removing Chief Imam A High Court in Oyo State has issued an order restraining the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, and the kingmakers from removing or replacing the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso Central Mosque, Sheikh Abdulrasaq Abdus-Salaam. The order followed a suit filed by Sheikh Abdus-Salaam, challenging the alleged plan to remove him from his position. In the suit, the Chief Imam argued that under the traditional and Islamic laws of Ogbomoso, he could only be removed by the Chief Imam in Council, not the Soun or the kingmakers. The court agreed with the plaintiff and held that the defendants lacked the power or authority to remove him. The court also directed the defendants to allow Sheikh Abdus-Salaam to continue performing his duties as Chief Imam. Reacting to the ruling, the Chief Imam expressed gratitude to the court for upholding his rights. He stated that he remained committed to serving the Muslim community in Ogbomoso and fostering peaceful coexistence. The Soun and the kingmakers have yet to comment on the court ruling. However, sources close to the palace said they were considering their legal options. The controversy over the removal of the Chief Imam has generated tension in Ogbomoso, with some members of the Muslim community protesting the alleged attempt to oust him. Observers believe that the court ruling will help to defuse the tension and preserve the traditional and religious harmony in the community.Oyo High Court Restrains Soun of Ogbomoso from Removing Chief ImamOyo High Court Restrains Soun of Ogbomoso from Removing Chief Imam An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso has issued an injunction restraining the traditional ruler, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye (Soun of Ogbomoso), and his kingmakers from removing the city’s Chief Imam, Sheikh Teliat Yunus Ayilara. Background: The dispute between the Soun and the Chief Imam has been ongoing for several months. The Ogbomoso Muslim Youth Forum, representing the Muslim community, filed a lawsuit against the traditional ruler and kingmakers after plans to remove the Chief Imam. Court Ruling: The court, presided over by Justice KB Olawoyin, issued an interim injunction on June 26, 2024, prohibiting the following actions: * The removal or suspension of Chief Imam Teliat Yunus Ayilara * Any interference with the Chief Imam’s duties and responsibilities Implications: The court ruling prevents the Soun and kingmakers from taking any further steps to remove the Chief Imam while the case is pending. It also protects the Chief Imam’s position and allows him to continue carrying out his religious duties. Next Steps: The case will continue to be heard on July 1, 2024, for further proceedings and a determination of the full merits of the case.Ogbomoso High Court has restrained the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, and the kingmakers from removing Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheikh Abdul-Rasheed Thani. Justice Adegboyega Adegbite, in his ruling, directed the defendants to maintain status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit. The order was granted following an exparte application filed by the Chief Imam, who sought to restrain the defendants from removing him from office. In the application, the plaintiff’s counsel, Abdulrasheed Adegoke, argued that his client was appointed as the Chief Imam in 2006 and had since been performing his duties without any objection. He, however, stated that recently, the defendants had threatened to remove the plaintiff from office without giving any reason. Adegoke argued that the defendants’ action was arbitrary, illegal, and a violation of his client’s fundamental rights to freedom of religion and fair hearing. He, therefore, prayed the court to grant an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from removing the plaintiff as the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso pending the determination of the substantive suit. Justice Adegbite, after hearing the submissions of the plaintiff’s counsel, held that the plaintiff had established a legal right to the office of Chief Imam and that he would suffer irreparable loss if the defendants were not restrained from removing him. The judge adjourned the case until May 10, 2023, for a hearing on the substantive suit.