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The legal counsel to Fuji legend, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), has clarified that the musician’s decision to withdraw his court case challenging the selection process of the next Awujale of Ijebuland does not mean he has stepped out of the race.
Speaking in a telephone interview on Wednesday, the singer’s lawyer, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), described the move as a strategic decision meant to allow his client reorganise and return with a stronger case.
“Of course, it’s a tactical retreat to put our house in order and come back again,” Shittu said.
“It is not true that he has withdrawn from the race. He is still very much active in the race. But we need to take advantage of further particulars and information and then come back.”
KWAM 1 had, in a notice of discontinuance dated December 22, 2025, informed the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode of his decision to discontinue the suit seeking to halt the process of selecting a new Awujale. He asked the court to strike out the matter.
According to Shittu, the legal team decided to pause proceedings in order to take certain preliminary steps before continuing with the case.
“After the preliminary steps that we need to take, which we have started, it is not something we want to rush without putting those steps in place,” he said.
“We don’t want to fail. We need to strategise and put our house in order.”
Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode and counsel representing the family, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed that the musician had indeed withdrawn the suit filed against the Ogun State Government and other parties.
Yusuf explained that the notice of discontinuance was filed shortly after the court declined to grant KWAM 1’s request for an interim injunction.
“I can confirm that Wasiu Ayinde has filed a notice of discontinuance of the suit instituted against Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Fusengbuwa ruling house, the Awujale Interregnum Administration Committee, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, and others,” he said.
“On Monday, his ex parte motion came up for hearing, but unfortunately, the presiding judge, Justice A. A. Omoniyi, declined to grant the order of interim injunction seeking to stop the selection process of the Awujale.”
Yusuf added that following consultations with his lawyers, the singer opted to withdraw the case, noting that the application for discontinuance would be formally considered on January 14, 2026.
“Perhaps, after due consultation with his legal counsel, he decided to withdraw the suit. The truth, however, is that the Fuji musician has filed for discontinuance of his suit against the government and our family,” he said.
KWAM 1 had earlier laid claim to eligibility for the vacant Awujale stool, linking his ancestry to the Jadiara Royal House within the larger Fusengbuwa ruling house. That claim, however, was rejected by the Fusengbuwa family, which insisted that the musician does not belong to the royal lineage.
The Fuji star is widely believed to hail from the Fidipote ruling house of Ijebu-Ode, a background he has also referenced in his music.
In his suit, numbered HC3/238/2025 and dated December 16, 2025, Ayinde had asked the court to restrain Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Fusengbuwa ruling house, the chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and other officials from taking further steps in the selection and installation of a new Awujale.
Other defendants listed 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 application was brought under Order 38 Rule 4 and Order 39 Rule 1 of the Ogun State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024, alongside Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the court’s inherent powers.
However, in his ruling, Justice A. A. Omoniyi held that the application lacked sufficient merit to justify the grant of an interim injunction and ordered that the substantive suit be heard expeditiously, fixing January 14, 2026, for further proceedings.
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