The suspended Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Ebenezer Akintunde Akinyemi, has approached the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, to challenge his suspension by Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged involvement in partisan politics.

The monarch is seeking legal protection against the enforcement of the suspension, which was announced in a letter dated October 20, 2026, and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.

The state government had said the suspension was approved by the State Executive Council pursuant to Section 52(1) of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law, 2021, pending a detailed investigation into allegations against the traditional ruler.

According to the government, the decision followed several complaints about the monarch's conduct, particularly his alleged involvement in overtly partisan political activities, some of which were reportedly publicised by him.

It maintained that partisan political activities by traditional rulers were contrary to customary law and prohibited by statute, warning that such conduct could undermine the dignity of the traditional institution and threaten peaceful coexistence among people of different political affiliations.

The government said the suspension was necessary in the interest of peace, order and good governance in Iselu Kingdom and Ogun State pending the outcome of the investigation.

However, challenging the decision, Akinyemi alleged that he was suspended without prior notice or an opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.

In the suit, numbered FHC/AB/FHR/148/26, filed before the Abeokuta Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, the monarch is seeking an order restraining the respondents from compelling him to vacate the Eselu Palace or preventing him from performing his traditional functions.

Other respondents in the suit are the Ogun State Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State.

The monarch is also asking the court to restrain the respondents from preventing him from presenting himself as the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom or wearing his crown, ileke, beaded staff, irukere and other traditional royal insignia.

He further seeks an order restraining the police and other government officials from harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining or interfering with him in the exercise of his rights and functions as the traditional ruler.

In an affidavit supporting the application, Akinyemi stated that he received the suspension letter directing him to immediately vacate the palace, stop presenting himself as the Eselu and discontinue the use of royal paraphernalia.

At Wednesday's proceedings, counsel to the monarch, Dele Fadesere, urged the court to protect his client's fundamental rights pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Fadesere argued that the application was necessary to prevent the enforcement of the suspension from undermining the ongoing legal proceedings and the rights being asserted by the monarch.

Meanwhile, Justice A.A. Okeke has fixed November 11, 2026, for ruling on the monarch's application.