..Affirms his legitimate right to Elemo Stool
By Editor
Against the backdrop of recent alleged distasteful social media comments by some paid agents of revisionists in the history of ancient town of Ise Ekiti, the
attention of High Chief Omotunde Paul the Elemo Oraye of Ise Ekiti has been drawn to the sad commentaries concerning the contentious Chieftaincy matter following the erroneous judgment of the Court of Appeal.
In a statement personally signed by the community leader and made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, Chief Omotunde Paul said;
“We wish to inform the good people of Ise-Ekiti, members of the Elemo Chieftaincy family, traditional institutions, institutions of government and general public that Chief Omotunde Paul (Elemo Oraye Ise Ekiti) has exercised his constitutional right of appeal against the erroneous judgment of the Court of Appeal by filing a Notice of Appeal before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“We further confirm that all parties have been duly served with the copies of the Notice of Appeal, the Record of Appeal which had also been compiled and transmitted to the Supreme Court, and the appeal has been duly entered before the Apex Court for determination.
“It is important to note that the issues surrounding the Elemo Chieftaincy are now firmly before the Supreme Court, which is the final judicial authority in Nigeria.
“Consequently, the parties are expected to maintain utmost respect for the judicial process and refrain from any action capable of prejudicing the pending appeal or creating avoidable tension within the community.
“As it is well recognized in chieftaincy disputes, the subject matter of the litigation concerns a traditional stool and attendant customary rights. Such matters often require the preservation of the res by maintaining status quo pending the final determination of the dispute by the Supreme Court in order to avoid confusion, instability, chaos or a situation that may render the eventual judgment of the Supreme Court ineffective.
“Accordingly, Chief Omotunde Paul maintains that, having been legitimately and duly installed as the High Chief Elemo Oraye of Ise-Ekiti by the appropriate authority and having properly invoked the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, the existing status quo ought to be preserved by preserving the stool (res) pending the final determination of the appeal by the Apex Court as no traditional authority/council will be willing to install another person on an erroneous judgment of the Court of Appeal to avoid confusion and chaos in the community especially when the erroneous judgment is being challenged and already pending before the Supreme Court of final jurisdiction.
“For the avoidance of doubt, High Chief Omotunde Paul remains committed to the rule of law, the authority of the courts, the peace and unity of Ise-Ekiti, and the preservation of the Elemo stool as well as overall dignity of our traditional institutions.
“We therefore urge all sons and daughters of Ise-Ekiti, members of the Elemo Chieftaincy family, community leaders, and stakeholders to remain calm, law-abiding, and respectful of the ongoing judicial process while awaiting the final judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“No individual or group should engage in acts capable of disrupting the peace of the community or undermining the authority of the Supreme Court, whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
“High Chief Omotunde Paul remains confident in the merits of the appeal and looks forward to a fair and impartial determination of the issues by the Supreme Court.” He stated.
