Ololade Adeyanju/
An Oyo State High Court has nullified the decision of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi to elevate 21 Ibadan traditional chiefs and Baales to the rank of crown wearing obas in Ibadanland.
Justice A. Aderemi yesterday set aside all gazettes that gave force the elevation of the ersthwhile monarchs.
The decision of the court was in line with the terms of settlement jointly filed by the State Government and the claimant who doubles as the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Rashidi Ladoja.
The court said since the parties had met and agreed, he was left with no option than to endorse the terms of reference brought before it and set aside the gazette.
Ladoja had in 2018 won a judgment which quashed all the processes that led to the coronation of the chiefs and Baales 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 he left office on May 29.
His successor, Seyi Makinde, however sought an amicable resolution of the dispute which pitted all the 21 ‘kings’ against the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji since 2017.
After confronting the court of appeal with terms of settlement, the court on August 23 asked the parties to go back to the lower court.
Consequently, yesterday, 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 a seal on the terms of reference brought before it.
The judgement 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 Ibadanland 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.”
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