SAGAMU, OGUN STATE — June 26, 2025
The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has called on legal practitioners to prioritise the rule of law and the protection of fundamental human rights above traditional practices, particularly in matters relating to chieftaincy disputes and religious freedom.
Justice Dipeolu, who was represented by Justice Adetokunbo Jibodu, made the appeal on Wednesday while delivering her address at the 5th memorial bar lecture organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Sagamu Branch, in honour of the late Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Kehinde Sofola, SAN.
Chairing the event, the Chief Judge said the lecture’s theme — “Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State: Chieftaincy Disputes, Their Effects on the Community and Legal Protection of Religious Freedom” — was timely, addressing critical tensions between cultural traditions, legal norms, and community cohesion in the state.
Chieftaincy Disputes: A Lingering Challenge
Justice Dipeolu highlighted that despite the structure provided by the 2021 amended Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State — which governs the recognition, appointment, grading, regulation, and deposition of traditional rulers — chieftaincy disputes remain a persistent challenge.
“Traditional rulership continues to be an important part of Ogun State’s socio-cultural and governmental landscape. Though the law provides a structure, successful conflict resolution — especially with regard to religious freedom — remains a struggle,” she said.
She stressed that unresolved chieftaincy conflicts weaken community unity and called on lawyers to emulate the legacy of Chief Sofola by pursuing justice with integrity and upholding the rule of law in even the most culturally sensitive disputes.
“Protecting religious freedom is not an attack on tradition,” she added. “Rather, it affirms our constitutional order and the dignity of every individual.”
Keynote: Legal vs. Traditional Rights
In his keynote address, Justice Phillips Akinside of the Ogun State High Court delved into one of the most contentious issues currently facing the state’s traditional institution — the upgrading of Bales and coronet Obas by the state executive.
He clarified that coronet Obas are minor chiefs with no statutory authority to install other chiefs and addressed recent legal controversies stemming from such appointments.
On the question of religious freedom for traditional rulers, Justice Akinside argued that candidates who voluntarily assume traditional roles must accept the associated customs and obligations — including traditional rites for installation and burial.
“Once an individual voluntarily embraces the traditional institution, they are deemed to have waived certain rights, including parts of their religious freedom, as long as it does not involve mutilation or cannibalisation, which is expressly prohibited under Section 55(2) of the 2021 law,” he explained.
Sofola’s Legacy of Integrity and Justice
Justice Dipeolu paid tribute to the late Chief Kehinde Sofola, describing him as a towering figure in Nigerian legal history whose contributions to legal thought, mentorship, and national development remain a source of inspiration.
“Let us honour his memory by committing to the meticulous application of the law, peaceful and just resolutions to chieftaincy issues, and the safeguarding of the constitutional freedoms of all people,” she said.
NBA: Legal Reform and Harmony Must Go Hand-in-Hand
Earlier, NBA Sagamu Branch Chairman, David Efuwape, welcomed participants and said the choice of topic was deliberate to deepen public understanding of the state’s chieftaincy laws and possibly inform future legislative reviews.
“Our branch remains committed to promoting justice, equity, and fairness while preserving harmony in the state,” Efuwape stated.
Calls to Preserve Culture, Avoid Western Displacement
Justice Akinside also cautioned against allowing colonial or Western influence to erode indigenous culture and tradition. “We must not allow imperialism to destroy what is originally African,” he asserted.
The event featured goodwill messages from prominent dignitaries, including the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and the former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kunle Oluomo.
As chieftaincy disputes continue to test the balance between tradition and law in Nigeria’s southwest, Wednesday’s lecture reaffirmed the need for legal practitioners to play a proactive role in resolving these conflicts through constitutional, not customary, lenses — just as Chief Kehinde Sofola would have advocated.