Alaafin Throne: Lukman Gbadegesin Slams Gov Makinde, Oba Akeem Owoade With Lawsuit
One of the former aspirants to the Alaafin throne, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin has filed a lawsuit against Governor Seyi Makinde faulting his decision to appoint Oba Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo and subsequently present instrument of appointment and staff of office to him.
Gbadegesin is asking the court to set aside the appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Oba Akeem Owoade.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that in a pre-action notice signed by his legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju SAN, a copy of which was sent to the governor, Gbadegesin submitted that Makinde’s actions are contrary to the Oyo State Chiefs laws.
Recall that five out of seven Oyomesi members had recommended Gbadegesin for the then vacant throne but the governor had on January 10, announced Owoade’s appointment as the new Alaafin.
‘By announcing a different candidate, the governor has usurped the powers of the Oyomesi, violating the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, which makes the Oyomesi the sole authority for the selection of the Alaafin.
The governor’s alleged reliance on Ifa consultation contradicts the judgment of the Oyo State High Court of 19th December 2022, which declared Ifa consultation in the selection process unlawful, as it is not provided for in the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, and the allegations of bribery by two Oyomesi members, raised over a year after the selection, lack credibility and were not formally communicated to the Governor or investigated’ the lawyer noted.
Adekunle Sobaloju added that Gbadegesin is seeking ‘an order setting aside the purported appointment, approval of appointment and presentation of staff of office to Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as Alaafin of Oyo as it was done in violation of the provisions of the Chief’s Law of Oyo State, 2000, the Registered Alaafin 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 Alaafin of Oyo as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo in accordance with Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000 and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and therefore his appointment is valid, lawful and proper’-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
