KWAM1 Loses Bid Over Awujale Selection
By Wellington Jopelo
The Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode has refused an application by popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as KWAM1, seeking to stop the ongoing process for the selection and installation of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
The court, presided over by Justice A. A. Omoniyi, declined to grant the interim injunction against Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and five other parties, ruling that the application was procedurally defective and failed to meet the legal requirements for such relief.
KWAM1, represented by Wahab Shittu, SAN, had approached the court through an ex parte application dated December 16, 2025, asking for an interim order to preserve the res and halt the Awujale selection process pending the determination of his substantive suit. He relied on provisions of the Ogun State High Court Civil Procedure Rules, Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, and the court’s inherent powers.
During proceedings, Shittu argued that the application was necessary to protect the integrity of the court and prevent actions that could undermine the pending suit. He urged the court to grant the interim order or, in the alternative, maintain the status quo and order accelerated hearing of the main case.
However, Justice Omoniyi held that under Order 39 Rule 2 of the court rules, applications for interim injunctions must be supported by a motion on notice. The court noted that no such motion was filed alongside the ex parte application, describing the omission as fatal to the request.
The judge also faulted the application for failing to include an undertaking as to damages, which he said has been consistently held by appellate courts to be a mandatory requirement in injunction matters. Relying on Supreme Court authorities, the court stressed that where a procedure is clearly laid down by law, it must be strictly followed.
Consequently, the application was refused.
KWAM1 is challenging the Awujale selection process after declaring interest in the vacant stool, claiming lineage from the Jadiara Royal House of the larger Fusengbuwa Ruling House. His claim was rejected by the Fusengbuwa ruling house, which maintained that he does not belong to the recognised royal lineage eligible to produce an Awujale.
Following the rejection, the musician instituted Suit No. HC3/238/2025 against the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Governor Abiodun, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and other officials involved in the chieftaincy process. The defendants also include the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo; and the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, Dr Olorogun Sunny Kuku.
Although the interim application was dismissed, the court acknowledged the urgency of the matter and ordered that the originating summons be served on all parties. The case was adjourned to January 14, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit, which will determine whether KWAM1 has a valid claim to the Awujale stool.