A High Court sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital has nullified the installation of 21 kings by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The presiding judge, Justice Olajumoke Aiki declared as unconstitutional, illegal, null, void the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and other Related Chieftaincies in Ibadan land.
Recall that the commission recommended among others the creation of several monarchs in Ibadan which led to the installation of 21 kings by the state Governor Abiola Ajimobi. But the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan land, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, challenged the composition and recommendations of the commission in court, joining Ajimobi as co-defendant.
According to the Punch newspaper, Aiki while delivering judgement held that wearing of beaded crowns is beyond the purview of sections 10, 12 and 25 of the Oyo State Chiefs Law, stating that Section 25 of the Chiefs Law could not be treated in isolation to the provisions of Parts Two and Three of the Chiefs Laws.
The court also said provisions of Parts Two and Three of the Chiefs Laws, particularly sections 10, 12 and 25, did not give power to the governor to review the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration, while also restraining the government from accepting and implementing the reports of the commission.
