Justice A. A. Omoniyi of High Court 3, Ijebu-Ode Judicial Division, who delivered the ruling on Monday, held that the application lacked merit and therefore refused the interim relief.

Ayinde had approached the court, urging it to restrain the Ogun State Government and other respondents from taking further steps in the process of selecting the next Awujale pending the determination of his substantive suit.

The respondents joined in the suit include the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government; the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council; and the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

Despite dismissing the interim application, Justice Omoniyi ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive suit and fixed January 14, 2026, for proceedings.

The applicant is challenging the Awujale succession process, alleging breaches of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law as well as a violation of his constitutional right to fair hearing.

Ayinde, who has publicly indicated interest in ascending the vacant Awujale stool, claims membership of the Jadiara Royal House within the larger Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

However, the claim has been rejected by the family, which insists that the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland has no ancestral link with the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

The application, filed as a motion ex parte in Suit No: HC3/238/2025, was brought pursuant to Order 38 Rule 4 and Order 39 Rule 1 of the Ogun State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2024; Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

Dated December 16, the motion sought an order restraining the respondents from taking further action in the Awujale selection process pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.