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Ibadan Chieftaincy Crisis: Lagelu descendants sue Oyo Govt., Olubadan over exclusion from chieftaincy lines.
LAGELU descendants; the Aboke family of Beere in Ibadan, yesterday instituted a suit against the Oyo State Government, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state over their exclusion from the Ibadan Traditional Chieftaincy line, the Olubadan Chieftaincy stool.
Joined in the filed suit no I/348/2011 are the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji and the Olubadan- In Council.
The five defendants contained in the suit are Oyo State Government (first) Commissioner for Justice (2nd), Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Olubadan of Ibadanland (forth) and Olubadan-In-Council (fifth).
Presenting his case before Honourable Justice Esan of Court 3, state High Court 3, Ring Road, Ibadan, counsel to the applicants , Barrister Jeleel Rufai argued strongly that the Aboke family who are the descendants of Lagelu, the founder of Ibadanland should be recognized as a distinct line along with the existing Otun and Balogun lines where Olubadan is appointed.
The litigant, Rufai urged the court to set aside the 1958 Ibadan Chieftaincy declaration which recognizes only the two lines. He stated that after scaling through, there is a need to amend the declaration to be in tandem with the current happenings.
He said , “I am the counsel to the claimants in this case, Lagelu/Aboke descendants family, they sued Oyo State Government, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs along with the current Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Olubadan-In-Council claiming that the way the appointment of Olubadan is being made is contrary to the age-long customary practise.
“They are contending that their family ought to be the main family to be producing the Olubadan or their family ought to be included among the lines which any Olubadan will be appointed or selected.
“In essence, they are challenging the 1958 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration which recognizes only the Otun and Balogun lines as the two lines where Olubadan can be appointed.
Rufai stressed that there is a need for the amendment of the declaration to allow his clients be included as a major line where an Olubadan can be appointed.
“That is the altalnative, they are even saying that they ought to be the sole line, they are ready to concede because of the age-long number of time they have been excluded, okey make us part of it so that as we are having Otun line and the Balogun line, let there be Lagelu line too. We will now have 3 lines.
“Because the system of appointing Olubadan is different, the only decent in the whole of Yorubaland, it is the only novel and unique method of appointment of traditional rulers. Others, if you look at other towns or cities, they have separate families and they have been making glory from it ascribing that to themselves that Ibadan is the different, but if it is going to be different, it should not be to the detriment of the family of the founder, we all know that Lagelu is the founder of Ibadanland, there is no doubt about it.
“If Lagelu is the founder of Ibadan, why are you now putting aside, why are you now dishonouring, why are you disregarding the descendants of Lagelu, don’t you think the history is to their side, even though they want to add some other people to them, they must always be there, that is our complain.
In addition, Barrister Rufai disclosed that the Lagelu/Aboke family are not happy and comfortable with the current system of ascension to the Olubadan stool that compelled families to produce a Mogaji (Head of the family) who rises from there to become Olubadan after passing through 22 or 23 stages from either Otun or Balogun lines.
“They are not comfortable with it, they are not asking to be recognized as Mogaji, what they are saying is that they want to be included and recognized as a distinct line that will also produce Olubadan.
He speaks further, “mind you, their family have a role they play, they are in the custody of the Oke-Ibadan and even the original crown Lagelu brought from Ile-Ife is in their custody. So if we want to go by history, Lagelu/Aboke family ought to be given their due regard.
“So if we win this case, if we scale through, one of the likely consequence of it is that, that 1958 declaration may be amended by the executive. We are only asking for setting aside of that declaration, it is the duty of the executive to now put in place a panel of inquiry to come up with an amended Chieftaincy declaration which only recognizes Otun and Balogun lines.
It was learnt that none of the defendants have appeared nor sent a delegation since the case was filed in 2011, a development which has made the case to be adjourned for about four times.
In her reactions, the counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, Mrs. Tayo Aderounmu, from the state ministry of Justice asked the court to give her more time to prepare for the case.
Aderounmu then assured the court that all facts at her disposal would be ready before the adjourned date.
The presiding judge, Justice Esan, then adjourned the case till April 6.
According to history, the Aboke family who are the custodians of Oke-Ibadan, a popular festival in Ibadanland and other traditional rites in the ancient city are the genuine descendants of Lagelu, a prince and a warrior from Ile-Ife in the present Osun State who founded Eba-Odan now known as Ibadan some decades ago.
China has announced a sharp increase in tariffs on US imports, raising the rate from 34 percent to 84 percent, in response to new American trade measures that came into effect on Wednesday.
The decision, confirmed by China’s finance ministry, will take effect from 12:01 p.m. on Thursday. It follows the imposition of sweeping new US tariffs under President Donald Trump, including a hefty 104 percent duty on certain Chinese goods.
“The tariff escalation against China by the United States simply piles mistakes on top of mistakes and severely infringes on China’s legitimate rights and interests,” the ministry said in a strongly worded statement, warning of “firm and forceful” countermeasures.
Beijing has long opposed the increasing use of tariffs as a tool in trade disputes, and accused Washington of undermining the multilateral rules-based global trading system.
In a related move, China’s commerce ministry also announced it would blacklist six American artificial intelligence companies, including Shield AI Inc. and Sierra Nevada Corporation. The companies were accused of either supplying arms to Taiwan or collaborating with the island on military technology.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Oyo State Governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, describing his death as a monumental loss to the people of Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
In a condolence message made available to the press on Sunday, in Ibadan by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker eulogised the late elder statesman as a distinguished scholar, consummate public administrator, and one of Nigeria’s most intellectually gifted leaders whose legacy would continue to inspire generations.
Dr. Olunloyo, who served as governor of Oyo State during the Second Republic, was reported dead at the age of 89. He was widely respected for his brilliance, administrative acumen, and unmatched depth in mathematics and public discourse.
Oseni noted that the late governor’s contributions to the development of Oyo State, particularly in the areas of education, governance, and intellectual engagement, are indelible footprints in the sands of time.
“We have lost a gem. Dr. Olunloyo was not just a leader, he was a father figure and a repository of wisdom. His demise is a personal loss to me and all lovers of progress and excellence in our society,” he stated.
While commiserating with the Olunloyo family, the people of Ibadan, and the entire Oyo State, he prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed soul and urged all to take solace in the rich and impactful life he lived.
Member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Chief Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole and other members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) executives on their re-election.
Chief Ajewole was returned as the President-General of the apex Ibadan socio-cultural association, alongside other members of the executive council, who were all given the mandate to continue piloting the affairs of the association for another two-year term.
In a congratulatory message issued through his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, Oseni described the re-election of the Ajewole-led team as a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed in their leadership by the Ibadan indigenes at home and in the diaspora.
He commended the CCII leadership for its unwavering commitment to the progress, unity, and cultural advancement of Ibadanland while expressing optimism that the renewed mandate would further propel the association to greater heights.
“The re-election of Chief Ajewole and his team is not only a testament to their sterling performance over the last term but also an affirmation of their capacity to continue serving the interest of Ibadan indigenes. I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes for a more impactful tenure,” he said.
The lawmaker further assured the CCII of his continued support for any initiative geared towards the development of Ibadanland and the preservation of its rich heritage.
The CCII is renowned for its pivotal role in mobilising Ibadan sons and daughters towards the socio-economic development of the65 ancient city and beyond.
