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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Awe has adjourned hearing in a fresh suit filed by Oyomesi (kingmakers) in Oyo town against the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and two others on the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo till December 14, 2023.
Other defendants in the suit are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The claimants in the suit are High Chief Yusuf Akinade Ayoola, Basorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele Oyedepo, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Amuda Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; High Chief Waheed Oyetunji, Aare Ago Basorun, and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, Baale Alapo.
The claimants, in the suit filed by their counsel, Barr. Kazeem Sobaloju, prayed for a court injunction to restrain the governor and his agents from overruling their selected candidate for the vacant throne of the Alaafin of Oyo.
Recall that the court had last week struck out a lawsuit filed against Makinde by the kingmakers.
Justice Ladiran Akintola struck out the suit after Sobaloju, represented by I.B. Olayinka, opted to withdraw it after filing a fresh suit against Makinde and others.
Addressing the court on Thursday, Sobaloju reminded the court that he had two pending applications filed on November 1, 2023 on the matter.
He said that the notice of preliminary objection and counter affidavit to the interim order of injunction were served on him “barely 45 minutes ago.”
Sobaloju prayed the court to maintain the status quo in spite of the notice of the preliminary objection filed by the defence counsel.
He equally submitted that he has filed a counter affidavit to the defendants notice of preliminary objection.
Counsel to the defendants and Director, Civil Litigation and Advisory Council, Ministry of Justice, Barr. L.A. Abiola, assured the court of his preparedness to move the application for his notice of preminary objection.
He noted that they are not running away from legal battle.
After listening to both counsels, Justice Akintola adjourned hearing on the notice of preliminary objection filed by the defendants to December 14, 2023.
Recall that the stool of Alaafin became vacant following the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who reigned for 52 years in 2022.