By Emmanuel Adeleke
An Oyo High Court sitting in Awe, Afijio Local Government Area, has adjourned hearing of the case filed by the nine Atiba royal families against Oyo State Government and Oyomesi (kingmakers) over the vacant Alaafin stool.
The presiding judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola, on Thursday, adjourned the hearing of the case till May 23, due to the absence of the counsel to the third defendant, Dr Adeola Omotunde (SAN).
Counsel for the claimants, J.N Ikzu, said counsel to Chief Lamidi Oyewole Adeyanju, who is the the third defendant in the suit other members of Atiba Local Government Chieftaincy Committee claimed that he has other applications, which he has failed to regularise.
Also, the counsel for the 4th to 10th defendants, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the counsel to the government also claimed to have a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
“We have informed him that we have not been served with the preliminary objection. Until we are served, we won’t be able to react to that,” he said.
Justice Akintola charged the parties to perfect all the necessary documents before the next adjourned date.
The first and second defendants is the Attorney General of Oyo State and the Governor of Oyo State.
The third defendant is Chief Lamidi Oyewole Adeyanju and other members of Atiba Local Government Chieftaincy Committee.
The fourth and fifth defendants are Prince Raji Kolawole Adeoye, Princess Elizabeth Olutayo Awoyemi (For themselves and on behalf of the Ona Aka Family)
While the sixth, seventh , eighth, ninth and tenth defendants are Prince Remi Azeez, Prince Olayiwola Agboin, Prince Afolabi, Ademola Adesina, Prince Bello Rasheed, Prince Nurudeen Adesiyan (For themselves and on behalf of the Tella Okitipapa, Adesiyan, Tella Agbojulogun Adelabu Baba Idode, Abidekun, Adediran and Adeitan Family of Atiba Ruling House of Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy)
The Atiba nine are asking the court to direct the Oyo State Government to implement the 1976 state government’s gazette, which directed the Alaafin traditional council to review the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration in order to accommodate the other ruling houses.
They requested that the governor considers their plea to present a sole candidate from the nine ruling houses as a compensation for their historical exclusion from the Alaafin stool, which has been enjoyed by their fellow brothers- Agunloye and Alowolodu ruling houses that have been producing Alaafin since 1859.
