Court sacks Ghandi Olaoye as Soun of Ogbomoso, orders fresh selection
The Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso has ordered the removal of the newly appointed Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
Delivering the judgement on Wednesday, Justice K.A Adedokun said the process that led to his selection was illegal and, therefore, ordered an election of a new king.
Governor Seyi Makinde had, on September 2, approved Mr Olaoye’s appointment to assume the vacant stool since the demise of Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi Agunbiade III, who died in December 2021 at 95 after a 48-year reign.
The kingmakers of the ancient town, thereafter, on September 8, 2023, inaugurated Mr Olaoye as the new Soun despite a court order restraining his instalment to the throne following a suit filed by Kabir Olaoye.
Mr Olaoye, according to the suit, argued that the monarch, a former pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was not eligible to ascend the throne, adding that the selection process was flawed.
Ghandi was born in Nigeria. He obtained a BA Honours in English and Literary Studies at the University of Ife, and a Master’s degree in Industrial and Labour Relations from University of Ibadan in 1987. He went into private business.
In 1992, he became a pastor in the Redeemed Church. Over time, he pastored a few Churches in Nigeria, before moving to Bonn. From Germany, he moved to Washington DC USA to pastor and grow the RCCG Jesus House, in Maryland. His Church became one of the biggest Redeemed Churches in America.
Pastor Ghandi acquired a reputation as an accomplished businessman with wide-flung interests, and he has been the recipient of many awards.
He was given responsibility as Coordinator of Convention and Special Projects of the Redeemed Church in North America.
There is a circulating photo of him standing outside his Church, flanked by Church members as he said farewell and embarked on his new life.
Among many ‘Pentecostal’ Christians, the initial reaction to the announcement of his decision was shock, bewilderment, and in some cases, consternation.
The attitude that is often taken towards traditional spiritualism and religious practice, by people who consider themselves ‘religious’ – either in the Christian or Muslim faith, is disdain, and even abhorrence. The justification provided for this attitude is that they are ‘fetish’, engaged in idol worship and dark rituals which are not compatible with Christianity or Islam.
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