Executive Recklessness: Court Orders Amosun To Pay Monarch's Salaries

Ogun State High Court, sitting in Sagamu has ordered governor Ibikunle Amosun to pay the Alakene of Ikenne, Oba Adeyinka Onakade his 19 months salaries and allowances which the government has “illegally” withheld.

Oba Onakade who was installed by the immediate-past administration in May 2011 went to the Sagamu High Court to seek redress over the stoppage of his salary and allowance by the incumbent administration.

The immediate past administration in the State had on 2011 installed Oba Onakade as the Monarch of Ikenne to succeed late Oba Gilbert Akindoyin Awomuti.

The monarch was given the instrument of office which seals his authority as legally installed.

But on assumption of office, the present administration in the state declared the Alakenne stool vacant.

But while the suit was pending, the government ordered the Remo Traditional Council to stop payment of salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits due to the king.

The King again went to court to challenge the decision, praying the court to determine whether it was lawful for the government to stop his salary and allowances.

The monarch also asked the court to determine whether the government had the power to infringe on his right and also whether the government’s action was legal.

Justice Elizabeth Osinuga in his ruling yesterday agreed with the plaintiff’s Counsel that the government action to stop payment of the King’s salary was illegal and therefore declared the action null and void.

Osinuga described the government’s action as “Executive recklessness” and therefore ordered the government to pay Oba Onakade all the salaries and allowances due to him for the past 19 months.