•says installation is illegal A fresh suit challenging the selection of Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi as the Elegushi of Ikateland has been filed before Justice Sybil Nwaka of a Lagos High Court.
The suit with reference number LD/119/13 instituted by Alhaji Wasiu Alade Elegushi and Madam Muyibat Abiodun Bakare is asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining Oba Saheed Ademola (2nd defendant) from parading himself as Oba Elegushi of Ikateland. The claimants joined as defendants, the Eti-Osa Local Government Council, (1st defendant), the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu (the consenting authority) (3rd defendant), Chief Fatai Lawal (Chief Olumegbon of Lagos, Head Idejo family (4th defendant), the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (5th defendant), the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State (6th defendant) and the Governor of Lagos state (7th defendant) respectively.
The claimants through their lawyer, Mathew Ariyo Adebayo are asking the court for an order compelling the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th defendants to commence the process for recognition, appointment and installation of Alhaji Wasiu Alade Elegushi as the new Oba Elegushi of Ikateland in accordance with the provisions of the existing declaration and law.
The claimants are also demanding for a declaration that the succession and ascendancy to the throne of the Elegushi of Ikateland is regulated by the provision of the Elegushi of Ikateland Chieftaincy Declaration of 1958 published in the Lagos State Official Gazette No 42, Volume 26 and the Obas and Chiefs of Lagos State Law Cap 02, Laws of Lagos State 2003.
The claimants stated that by virtue of the Declaration of 1958, succession to the throne of Elegushi of Ikateland is by rotation between four ruling houses in the following order, Kusenla Ruling House, Jinadu-Okunola-Oja-Ogun Ruling House, Oke-Epe Ruling House and Akin Idufa Ruling House.
They added that following the death of Oba Yekini Elegushi, the immediate past Elegushi of Ikateland from Kusenla Ruling House, the next by law and right to present candidate for nomination, selection, appointment and installation as successor to the throne is the claimants' ruling house, namely the Jinadu-Okunola-Oja-Ogun Ruling House.
Besides, the claimant stated that it was on the basis of Elegushi of Ikateland Chieftaincy declaration 1958 that the immediate past Elegushi, Yekini Elegushi was elevated from being an Idejo chief to a Grade 'A' status following the report of the standing tribunal into the Chieftaincy matters in respect of Elegushi of Ikateland.
The claimant pointed out that the incumbent Elegushi of Ikateland is not from the Jinadu-Okunola- Oja-Ogun Ruling House which is next in line of succession to present a candidate to the throne under the Elegushi of Ikateland Chieftaincy Declaration of 1958.
Therefore, the claimants want the court to declare that the nomination and installation of 2nd defendant as the new Oba of Elegushi of Ikateland by the 1st, 3rd, and 4th defendants and subsequent approval by the 5th, 6th and 7th defendants is irregular, unlawful, illegal and null and void.
The claimants urged the court to nullify the nomination and installation of the 2nd defendant as the Oba of Elegushi of Ikateland and compel him to vacate the throne forthwith. Justice Nwaka has adjourned the suit till June 17, 2013 for mention.
National Mirror