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The Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode has denied an application by popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, also known as KWAM1, seeking to temporarily stop the selection and installation of the next Awujale of Ijebuland. The court ruled on Monday that there were insufficient grounds to grant the request for an interim injunction, paving the way for the traditional process to continue.
KWAM1, who is a contender for the vacant Awujale throne, had approached the court through senior lawyer Wahab Shittu (SAN) to restrain Governor Dapo Abiodun and five other parties from moving forward with the installation. The musician argued that the selection process was flawed and sought the injunction to protect his interests until the substantive suit was heard.
In his ruling, Justice A. A. Omoniyi stated that KWAM1’s request lacked merit. “The application for an interim injunction does not establish sufficient grounds to justify its grant,” the judge declared. The court, however, set a timeline for the main case, scheduling the substantive hearing for January 14, 2026, signaling a swift approach to resolving the dispute.
KWAM1’s claim to the Awujale stool is rooted in his assertion that he is a descendant of the Jadiara Royal House within the broader Fusengbuwa Ruling House. The Fusengbuwa ruling house, however, has rejected his claim, insisting that he is not a member of the royal lineage. Unwilling to accept the decision, KWAM1 filed a suit challenging the selection process, listing multiple respondents including the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Governor Abiodun, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Dare Alebiosu, and other officials involved in the process.
Other respondents named in the suit include the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo; and Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, Dr. Olorogun Sunny Kuku. The suit, numbered HC3/238/2025, was filed ex parte, citing provisions of the High Court of Ogun State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024, Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
In his motion, KWAM1 requested that the court 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.” He maintained that the injunction was necessary to safeguard his interest and prevent the res—the property in dispute—from being “dissipated or interfered with by the respondents.”
The court’s rejection of the interim injunction means the selection process for the Awujale throne can proceed unhindered. This development comes amid heightened interest and scrutiny from both royal watchers and the public, given KWAM1’s celebrity status and the historic significance of the chieftaincy stool.
The focus now shifts to the substantive hearing scheduled for January 14, which will determine the legitimacy of KWAM1’s claim and address the broader questions surrounding the selection procedure. The case is expected to draw attention not only from Ijebu-Ode residents but also from wider audiences following the high-profile dispute.
With the interim injunction denied, the stage is set for a legal showdown that will clarify whether KWAM1’s claim holds water and if the installation of the next Awujale can proceed without further legal interruptions. Until then, both supporters and critics of the musician await the court’s judgment with keen interest.
This ruling underscores the court’s emphasis on evidence and legal merit while balancing the urgency of traditional succession processes, highlighting the delicate intersection between law, culture, and celebrity influence in Nigeria.
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