Appeal Court Strikes Out Motion Seeking To Set Aside Approval Gazette Crowning 48 Obas In Oyo
The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan on Thursday struck out a motion filed by a former governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, challenging the powers of Governor Abiola Ajimobi to gazette and approve beaded crowns and coronets to 48 Obas across the state.
Ajimobi had appealed the January 20, 2018 judgment of Justice Olajumoke Aiki of the Oyo State High Court, which set aside the recommendation of a committee of inquiry on the review of the 1957 Ibadan Chieftaincy declaration, which recommended the crowning of 21 new Obas in Ibadanland.
Recall that Ajimobi had set up a commission of inquiry headed by Justice Akintunde Boade in June 2017, to review the 1957 Ibadan Chieftaincy declaration.
Ladoja had approached Oyo State High Court to challenge the composition of the committee and prayed the court to set aside the committee’s report. The court granted his relief on January 20, 2018.
The three-man panel of judges headed by Justice Nonyerem Okoronkwo, held that the thrust of the relief sought was invoking the court to set aside the gazette which approved the crowning of the Obas.
The court held that the gazette which the motion seeks the court to set aside was not the subject matter at the lower court.
Justice Okoronkwo said dealing with such issue at this point may involve dwelling into the main appeal.
“We refuse to entertain the issue and urged the appellant to incorporate it in the main appeal and the motion is hereby strike out,’’ he said.
The judge adjourned the matter till May 27 for hearing on the main appeal.
