EDOZIE, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal emanated from a chieftaincy dispute between the plaintiff. Oba J.A. Aremo II known by the title of Alakungba of Akungba and the 1st defendant S.P. Adekanye designated as the Alale of llale. The dispute is over the headship or paramount rulership of Akungba clan in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State. The dispute started long ago between 1913 and 1918 when the then colonial administrator accorded recognition to village heads in Akoko District of the then Kabba Division. The plaintiff alleged that one of the 1st defendant's predecessors called.
Alale Omobobokun usurped the position of one of his predecessors as the Alakungba or paramount ruler of Akungba. The said Alale Omobobokun died in 1918 and was succeeded by Alale Ajimo I to whom the colonial administration handed over the 'village book' (a symbol of paramouncy) and other paraphernalia. In 1923 when one of the plaintiffs predecessors was succeeded by Al…