Enimere Àkànbí
One of the princes that contested for the position of Alaafin of Ọ̀yọ́, Lukman Gbádégẹṣin has headed to court to challenge the appointment and presentation of the staff office to Prince Akeem Ọ̀wọ́adé as the new Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ by Governor Ṣèyí Mákindè.
Gbádégẹṣin, who was said to have been recommended by a faction of the Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì is appealing that the court set aside the appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to a new Aláàfin carried out by Governor Mákindè.
In a pre-action notice signed by his legal representative, Adékúnlé Ṣọ́balójú, SAN, a copy of which was addressed to the Governor, he insisted that the Mákindè’s actions run foul of the Ọ̀yọ́ State Chiefs’ Law 2000.
The kingmakers and the Governor have been embroiled in a heated dispute over the selection of a new Aláàfin.
Five out of seven Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì members had recommended Gbádégẹṣin for the role. However, on January 10, Governor Mákindè approved Ọ̀wọ́adé as the Aláàfin and presented him with the staff of office.
During the event, the Governor declared that he would not allow the Aláàfin stool to be politicised, adding that individuals who allegedly paid to destabilise the traditional institution in the state would face prosecution
“By announcing a different candidate, the governor has usurped the powers of the Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì, violating the Aláàfin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which makes the Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì the sole authority for the selection of the Aláàfin.
“The Governor’s alleged reliance on Ifá consultation contradicts the judgment of the Ọ̀yọ́ State High Court of 19th December 2022, which declared Ifá consultation in the selection process unlawful, as It Is not provided for in the Aláàfin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, and the allegations of bribery by two Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì members, raised over a year after the selection, lack credibility and were not formally communicated to the Governor or investigated,” the letter read.
His lawyer noted that he is seeking “an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Prince Abímbọ́lá Akeem Ọ̀wọ́adé as Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ as it was done in violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Ọ̀yọ́ State, 2000, the Registered Aláàfin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null and void” and a declaration that he “was validly selected and or appointed by the Kingmakers of Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ in accordance with Chiefs Law of Ọ̀yọ́ State, 2000 and the Registered Aláàfin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and therefore his appointment is valid, lawful and proper.”
PUNCH
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