Oshodi/Isolo LG Has Authority Over Osolo Stool – Prince Yekini-Goloba
By Kazeem Akintunde
Who has the authority to process and make recommendations to the Lagos State Government on the installation of a new Osolo of Isolo between Oshodi/Isolo Local Government and Isolo Local Council Development Authority (LCDA)?
That is one of the riddles before Justice Ezekiel Oluwole Ashade of the Lagos High Court, Yaba, as Prince Jimmy Yekini-Goloba takes to the witness stand in his bid to reclaim the stool of Osolo of Isolo.
Reminded that he was still under oath, and while being cross examined by the Counsel to the seventh defendant, Adeola Onikosi, Esq, Yekini-Goloba told the court that only Oshodi/Isolo Local Government has the authority to supervise, monitor, and make recommendations to the Lagos State Government on the installation of a new Osolo of Isolo.
Yekini-Goloba had dragged the Lagos State Government, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Chieftaincy Committee of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, the Executive Chairman of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, and Prince Shekoni-Faronbi to court over the Osolo stool.
Amongst the specific reliefs Yekini-Goloba is seeking are: “A declaration that the Alagbeji Ruling House is next in line to produce the new Osolo of Isolo pursuant to the Registered Declaration under the Chiefs Law (Cap 19) of the Revised Law of Western Nigeria, 1962, as adopted in Lagos.
“A declaration that the claimant, having been duly selected and nominated by the Alagbeji Ruling House and approved by the Kingmakers, is the rightful person to be appointed and installed as the new Osolo.
“An order restraining the State and Local Government authorities from recognizing Shekoni-Faronbi as monarch or disregarding the decision of the Alagbeji Ruling House.”
During the cross examination on Friday, Counsel to the seventh Defendant – Isolo LCDA, Adeola Onikosi, Esq. asked the witness if Isolo LCDA has the legal authority to supervise the appointment of a new Osolo of Isolo.
Yekini-Goloba: It lacks the power
Counsel: In your written statement before the court, you stated that the seventh defendant lacks the authority to supervise any aspect of Osolo Stool?
Yekini-Goloba: Only Oshodi/Isolo Local Government has the authority to do so.
Counsel: The meeting convened by the Alagbeji ruling House for the nomination of candidates to the vacant stool of Osolo of Isolo was based on the notice from Isolo LCDA.
Yekini-Goloba: That information is contained within exhibit C4. In exhibit C4, there was no public notice issued by Isolo LCDA. The only public notice issued was from Oshodi/Isolo Local Government.
Counsel: Are you also aware that the nomination process by the Osolo kingmakers was based on the notice issued by Isolo LCDA?
Yekini-Goloba: It was based on the notice issued by Oshodi/Isolo and contained in exhibit C4.
Counsel also asked the witness to trace his genealogy to the Osolo stool, which he did.
Yekini-Goloba also told the court that his name was not on the attendance register at his ruling house meeting held on August 14, 2024, and the meeting held on August 29, 2024 as he was outside Nigeria. He also stated that it was not mandatory.
He told the court that 15 princes showed interest and that their names were forwarded to the kingmakers.
Lawyer to the first defendant, Prince Shekoni-Faronbi, Mr. Gbenga Ojo Esq. told the witness that historically, Isolo town was under Mushin Local Government before more local governments and LCDAs were created.
He asked the witness if he knew that Isolo community is now under Isolo LCDA and he answered that he did not know which local government has jurisdiction as he doesn’t work with the government.
The witness also admitted that based on his written statement, both Oshodi/Isolo local government and Isolo LCDA issued public notices on the vacant stool of Osolo of Isolo.
The witness also told the court that there are four kingmakers in Osolo town, and that two of them voted for him while one voted for Prince Shekoni- Faronbi, and another for Prince Saheed Aregbesola.
He said that the result of the voting was sent to Oshodi/Isolo local government for onward transmission to the Lagos State Government for approval and ratification. Yekini-Goloba informed the court that all the four kingmakers signed and thumb printed all the necessary documents before forwarding his name as the selected Prince to the throne to the Oshodi/Isolo Local government chieftaincy committee.
Thereafter, Justice Ashade discharged the witness and adjourned the case till November 13, 2026, for the defence team to call their witnesses.
