Agọ-Ọja Chieftaincy: Traditional Institution Clarifies Current Legal Status of Oloja

…Says Current Status Must Be Considered Under Subsequent Oyo Chieftaincy Laws and Statutory Recognition

The Agọ-Ọja Traditional Institution has clarified its position on the current legal status of the Oloja of Agọ-Ọja, stressing that the status of the traditional institution should be considered in the context of subsequent developments in Oyo State’s chieftaincy laws and government recognition.

In a statement signed by Prince Alao Adeoye on behalf of the Agọ-Ọja Traditional Institution, the institution acknowledged that the 2007 High Court judgment and the 2017 Court of Appeal decision concerning the Baale of Agọ-Ọja constitute part of the historical legal background to the chieftaincy.

However, the statement maintained that the legal and administrative framework governing the institution has subsequently evolved, particularly following amendments to Oyo State’s chieftaincy laws.

According to the statement, the 2025 Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs legislation expressly recognised the Oloja of Agọ-Ọja as a member of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, including among the designated Deputy Chairmen.

The traditional institution further stated that the Oloja was subsequently elevated and crowned as a crown-wearing Oba, describing these developments as significant milestones in the evolution of the Agọ-Ọja traditional institution.

On the recent Supreme Court proceedings, the statement referred to the 28 September 2026 order in SC/404/2018, arguing that the order did not determine the substantive validity of the present Oloja/Oba institution.

It explained that the appeal was dismissed following the appellant’s failure to file the required Appellant’s Brief and contended that the order did not, in itself, declare the present Oloja unlawful or invalidate subsequent legislation and governmental recognition.

The Agọ-Ọja Traditional Institution therefore urged stakeholders to distinguish between the historical legal proceedings concerning the former Baale institution and the subsequent statutory and governmental developments affecting the present traditional institution.

“Accordingly, the current Oloja/Alágo-Ọja of Agọ-Ọja should be considered within the framework of the current Oyo State chieftaincy laws and subsequent statutory recognition, rather than solely by reference to the circumstances existing in 2007,” the statement said.

The clarification was signed by Prince Alao Adeoye for and on behalf of the Agọ-Ọja Traditional Institution.