Prince Afolabi Ghandi Laoye, who previously served as a pastor at the RCCG’s Jesus House in Washington DC, United States, has officially been installed as Soun of Ogbomosoland.
With the blessings of the kingmakers, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye has assumed the revered position of Soun of Ogbomoso.
In a ceremony held on Friday morning, Olaoye was formally installed, and the palace was filled with a jubilant crowd, who enthusiastically praised and celebrated the new monarch as he took his place on the throne of his predecessors.
Early in the morning, Laoye touched down in Ogbomoso with a private helicopter, which made its initial landing at Ogbomoso Grammar School before his journey to the palace.
He arrived in Ogbomoso, Oyo State on Friday, as he undertook on process towards the customary rites and installation as the new Soun.
Laoye’s appointment as the new Soun was made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde last Saturday, finally filling the void left in the traditional stool after the passing of Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi Ajagungbade III on December 12, 2021.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in the state, Olusegun Olayiwola, revealed the governor’s decision to appoint Laoye last week. This decision followed a meticulous adherence to the legal procedures specified by the law.
Read also: I Was A Brilliant School Teacher, Security Guard –Tinubu
However, as of yesterday, September 7, a court order issued by Justice K.A Adedokun prohibited the state governor and other relevant parties from transferring the instruments of office to Prince Olaoye during his installation ceremony.
Additionally, the court order prevented Prince Olaoye from assuming any duties or acting as the Soun of Ogbomoso, and it forbade his participation in any relevant ceremonial events until the court’s ongoing mandatory injunction proceedings reach a conclusive resolution.
In defiance of the legal injunction, the installation of Prince Olaoye moved forward at Abata in Ogbomoso, led by the kingmakers responsible for the Soun of Ogbomoso’s selection. The installation ceremony was overseen by the leader of the kingmakers, Areago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin.