The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has overturned a lower court ruling, reaffirming Oba Ghandi Olaoye as the legitimate Soun of Ogbomoso

The **Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan** has **upheld the selection and installation** of **Oba Ghandi Olaoye** as the **Soun of Ogbomoso**, reversing an earlier **Oyo State High Court ruling** that nullified his appointment.

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Delivering judgment on **Tuesday**, **Justice Yargata Nimpar**, leading a **three-member panel**, ruled in **Oba Olaoye’s favor on all 10 grounds of appeal**.

This decision **overturns the ruling of Justice K. A. Adedokun** of the **Oyo State High Court, Ogbomoso**, who on **October 25, 2023**, had nullified Oba Olaoye’s selection on grounds of **non-compliance with the 1958 Soun Chieftaincy Declaration**.

The appellate court’s judgment **effectively reinstates Oba Olaoye**, bringing a legal resolution to the chieftaincy dispute.

– **October 2023:** The Oyo State High Court **nullified** Oba Olaoye’s selection, citing irregularities in the selection process.
– **Oba Olaoye appealed the decision**, challenging the ruling on **10 legal grounds**.
– **February 2025:** The Court of Appeal set aside the High Court judgment, upholding his legitimacy.

With this **ruling in his favor**, **Oba Ghandi Olaoye** remains the **Soun of Ogbomoso**, though further appeals—**possibly to the Supreme Court**—may still arise from opponents of his selection.

His reinstatement is expected to **restore stability** to the traditional institution in **Ogbomoso**, a historic Yoruba kingdom.