A major legal storm has erupted over the revered Awujale of Ijebuland stool as popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM1, has taken the Ogun State Government, the Ijebu-Ode Ruling House, and other key actors to court over the ongoing succession process.
DDM gathered that the suit was filed on December 16, 2025, at the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, introducing a fresh layer of controversy into the already sensitive Awujale throne dispute.
Court documents indicate that the interlocutory application seeks an interim injunction restraining the respondents from taking any steps toward the installation of a new Awujale of Ijebuland pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The case is registered as Suit No: C3/238/2025 and lists KWAM1 as the claimant under his full traditional and legal identity, “Otunba Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde Adesanya Marshal.”
Those named as defendants in the suit include Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, officials of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government, representatives of the Ijebu-Ode Ruling House, and relevant chieftaincy and traditional affairs authorities.
According to filings before the court, KWAM1 is asking the judiciary to intervene to preserve what he describes as his lawful interest in the Awujale succession process.
His legal team argued that proceeding with the installation of a new monarch while the dispute remains unresolved could permanently prejudice his rights and undermine the integrity of the selection process.
The lawyers further contended that the Awujale stool is not an ordinary traditional institution but a historically significant monarchy whose succession must strictly follow established customs, laws, and due process.
They urged the court to maintain the status quo and halt any further action until all legal questions surrounding eligibility, process, and authority are fully examined.
The Awujale throne became vacant following recent developments in the royal institution, triggering consultations among ruling houses, kingmakers, and government authorities.
However, the emergence of the lawsuit suggests deep disagreements over how the succession process is being handled and who has the ultimate authority to determine its outcome.
Legal analysts say the inclusion of the Ogun State Governor and chieftaincy officials as respondents elevates the case from a purely traditional dispute to a constitutional and administrative matter.
The move by KWAM1 has generated widespread reactions across Ogun State and beyond, with opinions sharply divided between those who see the action as a legitimate defence of rights and those who view it as an intrusion into sacred traditional processes.
Some traditionalists argue that involving the courts could set a dangerous precedent for royal successions, while others insist that modern legal oversight is necessary to prevent abuse and arbitrariness.
Political observers note that the case places the Ogun State Government in a delicate position, as it must balance respect for tradition with adherence to the rule of law.
The lawsuit is expected to test the limits of judicial intervention in chieftaincy matters, an area that has historically produced intense legal and political battles across Nigeria.
As of the time of filing, the court has yet to rule on the application for interim injunction, but legal experts say the decision could significantly slow down or reshape the Awujale succession timeline.
The development has added fresh tension to the Awujale selection process, with stakeholders now watching closely to see how the judiciary will respond.
If granted, the injunction would temporarily freeze all actions toward installing a new Awujale until the substantive suit is heard and determined.
As the case unfolds, the Awujale throne dispute has clearly moved beyond palace consultations into the courtroom, signaling what could be a prolonged and highly contentious legal battle over one of Yorubaland’s most respected traditional stools.