IBADAN: 21 kings lose crowns as court ends over 2-yr legal battle

The crisis between the Olubadan of Ibadan land and High Chiefs elevated to beaded crown kings by the immediate past government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has finally been laid to rest as the state government on Tuesday withdrew their crowns as part of the condition to settle out of court.

In granting the terms of settlement jointly filed by the State Government and the claimant, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, Justice Aderemi of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, said since the parties had met and agreed, he was left with no option than to set aside the gazette.

Ladoja had in 2018 won a landmark judgment which quashed all the processes that led to the coronation of his colleague-high chiefs and some Baales numbering 21 on August 27, 2017, by Ajimobi.

Ajimobi who was not satisfied with the lower court’s judgment, appealed same; which was still pending as at the time May 29, 2019, when he left office.

The state Governor, Seyi Makinde, who inherited the matter, had opted for an out-of-court settlement to restore peace between the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the estranged chiefs.

The government confronted the court of appeal with terms of settlement and the latter on August 23 this year referred parties in the controversial coronation of the kings to a lower court.

On Tuesday, the State High Court 2 in the suit no. M/317/2017, between Ladoja as claimant and Governor of the state with retired Justice Akintunde Boade for himself and on behalf of all members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Olubadan chieftaincy, as defendants, put seal on the terms of reference brought before it.

READ ALSO: ALLEGED BETRAYAL: I am following your footsteps, Shuaibu replies Oshiomhole

The judgement read by Justice Aderemi reads; “that all the gazettes affecting the chieftaincy laws of Ibadan land particularly gazette Nos.14 Vol.42 of 23rd August 2017; 15 Vol 42of 24 August 2017 and 3 Vol 43 of 29th March 2018 and the subsequent elevation of High Chiefs and Baales in Ibadan land as Obas during the pendency of this suit be and are hereby set aside.

“That the right to wear beaded crowns and coronets granted by the state government during the pendency of the suit, are hereby revoked.

“That the 1st defendant shall take steps to reconcile all parties involved in the chieftaincy matters to foster unity and harmony in the protection of the tradition of Ibadan land as relates to the chieftaincy laws of Ibadan land,” the judge added.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now