ABEOKUTA– The embattled Olu of Orile Ilawo, Prof. Alexander McGreggor in deviance to a subsiting court order baring him from parading himself as a monarch, has on Saturday celebrated his 2nd year anniversary on the throne.
Recall that an Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta had in January, 2025 reversed Alexander Macgregor’s installation as the Olu of Ilawo , declaring the process illegal.
Justice Olatokunbo Majekodunmi ruled that Macgregor must stop posing as the Olu of Orile Ilawo, Abeokuta, pending the determination of the suit against the processes that led to his nomination.
The court’s decision was in response to a suit filed by Ogunsanya- Ariku Royal Family of Ilawo, who had prayed to the court to stop the installation and declare Macgregor’s claim to the throne invalid.
Delivering the ruling, the judge condemned the government’s action in installing Macgregor despite pending court cases, describing it as an act of impunity and disregard for the court.
Justice Majekodunmi emphasised that once a case is before the court, all parties are legally obliged not to take any action that could undermine the court’s integrity.
The court, therefore, granted an order of mandatory injunction restraining Macgregor from parading himself as the Olu of Ilawo and restoring the Olu Of Orile Ilawo stool to the way it was when all parties had submitted before the court.
The judge therefore ordered the withdrawal of all instruments of office, staff, and other symbols of authority that the government had bestowed on Macgregor.
“Immediately, a case is ongoing; people are under a legal duty not to go ahead with anything pending the determination of the suit. Doing such is tantamount to undermining the integrity of the court.
“The court hereby orders the withdrawal of staff of office and other things that make Macgregor as Olu of Ilawo pending the determination of the suit.
“The 7th defendant should also refrain from parading himself as Olu of Ilawo”,In the appeal notice obtained by Vanguard, MacGregor argued that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter”, judge Majekodunmi said
Although, the monarch, after the court order filed an appeal against the interlocutory injunction issued by the Ogun State High Court, which nullified his installation as the traditional ruler of Orile-Ilawo.
In the appeal notice, MacGregor argued that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
His second anniversary was however seen as an afront to the court order by some stakeholders, who opined that until the determination of court processes, all status quo should remain.
