OLUBADAN STOOL: Ibadan Kingmakers Begin Process To Withdraw Court Case As Baales Meet Thursday

By Ogundele Olanrewaju

Members of the Olubadan-in-Council, on Tuesday, agreed to withdraw the court case that has been cited as an impediment to the enthronement of the new Olubadan of Ibadan land.

According to Newspeakonline, the kingmakers took the decision at their meeting which held at the Olubadan’s palace, Oja’ba,Ibadan.

This development has paved the way for the formal announcement and enthronement of the Otun Olubadan, Sen. Lekan Balogun, as the next Olubadan of Ibadan land.

The Otun Balogun of Ibadan land, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, who addressed reporters after the two-hour meeting, said the high chiefs had agreed with the governor to withdraw the suit in court.

He said the process of withdrawing the case has commenced, stressing that due process would be followed when asked about when the process would be concluded.

He said: “The case was adjourned to the 1st of February this year and whatever happens, we would have to get to the court before the withdrawal can take place.”

Newspeakonline reports that Tuesday’s meeting was informed by the agreement which the high chiefs reached with Governor Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, that all parties should do whatever necessary to ensure the smooth selection and enthronement of the next Olubadan.

The high chiefs who became Royal Majesties and baales who were elevated to coronet-wearing obas by the 2017 review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration filed separate suits challenging a consent judgement obtained on the suit challenging their elevation. They argued that the consent judgement was obtained without their participation, stressing that their fate could not have been decided behind them.

The elevated baales have scheduled their own meeting for Thursday, during which they will also review the current situation of things on the succession process and take a position. They have, however, indicated that the high chiefs’ decision to withdraw their own case did not affect their own suit in any way since they are separate suits.

Barely barely 24 hours after the death of Oba Saliu Adetunji, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Micheal Lana, had written a letter to Makinde, warning him against approving the expected nomination of Balogun as the next Olubadan given the suit filed by the high chiefs. He highlighted that the suit constituted an encumbrance on the selection and enthroning process, stressing that only withdrawal of the suit can pave the way for a smooth succession process.