An Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, has fixed February 12 for hearing on a suit filed by Chief Adebayo Oyediji, challenging the installation of Oba Saliu Adetunji, as the Olubadan of Ibadan land.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Oyediji of the Seriki chieftaincy line and three others, were challenging the installation of Adetunji by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State as the Olubadan of Ibadan land.
The other claimants in the suit were Chief Olalekan Fakunle, Chief Rasheed Abinupagun and Chief Gabriel Amao.
Justice Moshood Abass on Wednesday fixed February 12 for hearing of the suit after the claimants’ counsel, Mr. Sarafadeen Adebayo, informed the court that all processes needed in prosecuting the case had been filed by both parties.
Abass ordered that hearing notices be served on the counsel for the respondents because they were not present in court on Wednesday.
The claimants’ counsel, Adebayo, had earlier informed the court that the counsel for the Olubadan, Mr. Michael Lana and Oyo State Government’s counsel, Mr. Adegboyega Salawu ,were trying to delay the matter.
He said the respondents’ counsel were present in court on the last adjourned date of December 15, 2017, where January 10 was agreed for the closing of the Pre-Trial Conference.
NAN reports that the claimants are claiming that it was the turn of the Seriki chieftaincy line to produce the next Olubadan after the death of Oba Samuel Lana, against the appointment of Adetunji by Ajimobi.
The claimants are also challenging the consistent occupation of the Olubadan throne by the Olubadan chieftaincy line and Balogun chieftaincy lines while the Seriki line has been excluded.
The claimants’ counsel, Adebayo, had told the court that there was a subsisting court ruling restraining the occupation of any vacant position of high chiefs and that of the Olubadan.
NAN reports that other respondents in the suit were the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Oyo State Government.
