Governor Adeleke who said he had known and worked with the new Aswaju for several decades noted that the Hon. Commissioner for Boundary Settlement and Chairman, Osun State Border Commission is a passionate lover of his people and a man with limitless energy in service of the society.
Commending the Ataoja of Osogbo for his choice of the jurist, the Governor said Justice Adeigbe has been part of positive development happening within and around Osogbo, the capital city, expressing happiness that the state government has a tested patriot in its push to build a befitting state capital.
“I congratulate Justice Adeigbe Rtd. on his appointment by the Ataoja – in – Council. This is a well deserved appointment, a recognition of the jurist’s exceptional character as a gentleman, a community worker and an accomplished indegene of Osogbo.
“I welcome him to our circle of Asiwajus across Osun state. I look forward to working closely with him to realise our grand vision for Osogboland”, the Governor was quoted as saying.
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun had earlier announced the choice of Justice Adeigbe(rtd) as the new Asiwaju after the demise of Chief Ajadi Badmus, the former occupant of the office.
The letter of appointment from the Ataoja of Osogbo to Justice Adeigbe reads as follows:
“Following due consultation and consent of the Ataoja-in-Council and some interested elders on the affairs of Osogboland, I, as the Ataoja of Osogboland hereby APPOINT you as the ASIWAJU OF OSOGBOLAND’.
“Your appointment into the leadership position in Osogboland takes effect from 1st day of November, 2024, with the following ROLES:
i. To assist me as the Ataoja of Osogboland and the Ataoja-in-Council, in the running of the affairs of Osogboland;
ii. To advice me and the Ataoja-in-Council, after consulting with relevant interest groups in Osogboland and in diaspora, on ways and means of promoting the unity and progress of Osogboland;
iii. To make regular consultations with me and the leadership of the Osogbo Action Committee (O.A.C.) and the Osogbo Progressive Union (O.P.U.) on various developmental issues, and find ways and means of implementing our resolutions;
iv, To mobilize and lead the generality of the people of Osogboland to achieve progress in the community;
v. To advice me on ways of protecting and finding ways for security in our community, and jointly work out ways and means of how to curb disturbances and create orderliness amongst our people in Osogboland in general;
vi. To make regular consultations with the leadership of the Osogbo Action Committee (O.A.C.) and the Osogbo Progressive Union (O.P.U.), on various developmental issues in Osogbo Land, and advice me and the Ataoja-in-Council on implementing any resolution reached from time to time;
vii. To mobilize and lead the generality of the people of Osogboland to achieve unity among them and work for progress of Osogboland;
viii. To carry out all lawful and legitimate assignments in the interest of Osogbolánd that I may give you from time to time; To represent and lead my delegation to meet with Federal, State and Local Government authorities on all matters pertaining to Osogboland, in general.
“While congratulating you on this well deserved royal appointment, it is my hope that you will continue to work assiduously as usual, in promoting the peace and progress of Osogboland, in general”, the Ataoja had noted in his letter to the new Asiwaju of Osogboland.
Hon. Justice Moshud Adekunle Adeigbe, a native of Osogbo, Osogbo Local Government of the State of Osun, Nigeria was born on October 31, 1952.
He obtained a Diploma in Journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos in 1979, and then went ahead to the University of Ibadan where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons) degree in Language Art and Communication in 1982 and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. Hons) in 1989.
He joined the Nigerian Television Authority in 1975 as a Stenographer and later rose to the rank of a Reporter/Sub-Editor in 1979 and promoted to the rank of Principal Editor/News Producer in 1986 until 1989 when he left the media house and joined the firm of Kunle Kalejaye & Co. (Legal Practitioners) as Associate Counsel between 1989 and 1992.
He founded his Law firm of Kunle Adeigbe & Co. (Legal Practitioners/Consultants) in Ibadan in 1992, which he successful ran, and was appointed a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2001. While practicing as a Lawyer, he was widely regarded in legal circles as a dogged litigation Counsel, taking up difficult and complex cases, including civil, constitutional and human right cases at the High Courts, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, as well as election
While practicing as a Lawyer, he was widely regarded in legal circles as a dogged litigation Counsel, taking up difficult and complex cases, including civil, constitutional and human right cases at the High Courts, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, as well as election petition cases at the Election Tribunals.
He was appointed a High Court Judge in Osun State on 3rd August, 2006, and became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria) in December 2013.
He has earlier in life being appointed as a Primary School Teacher by the Primary School Board, Osogbo between March 1970 and August 1971 and Library Assistant/Typist at the Institute of Administration (now Faculty of Administration), Obafemi Awolowo University, between September 1971 and March 1974, and a Stenographer at the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (now Faculty of Technology), University of Ibadan between April 1974 and June 1975.
He was also a Newspaper columnist from 1975 to January 1995.
Hon. Justice M.A. Adeigbe has held various public and private offices, including President of the Language and Communication Arts Students’ Association of the University of Ibadan from 1981; Chairman of the NUJ-NTA Ibadan chapel from 1984 to 1986; General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan branch from January 1988 to December 1999; Member, Oyo State Law Review Committee, 1999; Member, National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association from 1998 to 3rd August 2006, and a Field Trainer for the Centre for Democratic Studies (CDS) Abuja, 1990.
He was appointed a member of the National Election Petition Tribunal from August 2011 to July 2012; and Chairman of the State of Osun Standing Commission of Inquiry on Disturbance of Public Peace in 2014.
Hon. Justice Adeigbe has received various awards, including the NTA Corporate Special Award for Versatility and Diligence, 1981; NBA (Ibadan branch); Award as a Distinguished General Secretary in year 2006; and Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Ibadan, 2006.
His published works include the “New Directions for Journalism in Nigeria”, April 1985, “Contemporary Issues in Nigeria Legal System”, 1997, “Chief Afe Babalola’s Role at the Bar”, 2008, “Jurisdiction as Pivot to Quick and Proper Adjudication in Nigerian Court of Records”, 2012 and “Highlights of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules in Nigeria”, 2014.