Photo: Ladoja, Makinde, Balogun
REVEALED: Shocking reason Ladoja goes back to court, against Makinde, Olubadan, newly crowned Obas
Femi OGUNLANA
The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has instituted legal action against Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun; the Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and the 10 Ibadan newly crowned Obas.
High Chief Ladoja who shunned the coronation ceremony of the new Obas on Friday July 7 at the Mall Hall Ibadan in line with his opposition against the move has insisted that the elevation of the chiefs is against the principles of Ibadan monarchy asserting he had no desire to be crowned any other Oba other than Olubadan.
He averred if he desired so he would have taken the traditional chieftaincy of his village, Laleye.
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During the ceremony Friday, Governor Makinde dismissed the opposition by Ladoja advising anyone who is dissatisfied to head to the court.
Ladoja who ogbomosoinsightonline.com had reported exclusively he might go to court on the matter has finally taken action in that direction.
But the reason he took the decision is shocking. It is learnt the Olubadan Oba Balogun is stringing together framework to stop the ascension to the throne of Olubadan by Ladoja when it his turn.
Only one person presently, Balogun Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin, stands between Ladoja and the throne of Ibadan.
It is on the basis of this that the former governor has instituted the legal action so the court can declare the elevation of the high chiefs to Oba status as illegal and restrain the defendants from preventing him from ascending the throne of Olubadan when it is his turn.
In a statement made available to Ogbomoso Insight Ladoja alleged that the Olubadan, Oba Olalekan Balogun, is plotting to prevent him from ascending the throne when it is his time.
In the suit he filed, he alleged that the plan is that if he “refused to be crowned, he would be denied of his status as Otun Olubadan of Ibadan Land and that he would not be permitted to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan Land when it is his turn.”
The first defendant in the suit is the Olubadan while the 12th defendant is ‘Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state. The second to eleventh defendants are the elevated Obas i.e. Owolabi Olakulehin; Tajudeen Ajibola; Eddy Oyewole; Lateef Adebimpe; Biodun Kola-Daisi; Kola Adegbola; Hamidu Ajibade; Olubunmi Isioye; Bayo Akande and Abiodun Azeez.
”To the dismay of the Claimant, he started hearing on media that he would be crowned on the 7 day of July, 2023, when he has never consented to the untraditional act masterminded by the 1st Defendant.
“That since he has made it known to the Ist Defendant that the act of elevating any of the Olubadan in council or High Chief’s to this status of His Royal Majesty is untraditional the 1st Defendant has started plotting that if the Claimant refused to be crowned, he would be denied of his status as Otun Olubadan of Ibadan Land and that he would not be permitted to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan Land when it is his turn.
“That from Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadan Land after due consideration, the 12 Defendant is the approving authority to become a King in Ibadan, which is Olubadan of Ibadan and no other King. The 12 Defendant has not in any form consent to the illegal act that the 1″ Defendant is out to perpetuate.
“That the entire Ibadan Land is the domain of Olubadan of Ibadan Land and that the elevation that the 1st Defendant intends doing is to segregate Ibadan Land and cause disharmony. The Imperial Majesty that the 1″ Defendant is appointing would be a royal father without domain.
”That the act of the 1st Defendant to elevate the 2nd- 11 Defendants is contrary to Oyo State of Nigerian Gazette No. 03 Vol. 47 dated 11th February, 2022.
“That the act of the 1st Defendant trying to elevate the 2nd-12th Defendants to His Royal Majesty is against the tenor of judgment in M/317/2017 between HIGH CHIEF (SENATOR RASHIDI LADOJA VS THE GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE & ANOR delivered on the 19th day of November, 2019.
“That in order to stop this illegal act, through his counsel, he wrote a letter dated 4″ July, 2023 to the 1st Defendant.
“That it is only this Honourable Court that can protect the long-aged tradition of Ibadan Land from being bastardized, by restraining the Defendants from carrying out this untraditional act.
“I make this written statement on oath in good faith, conscientiously believing same to be true and correct pursuant to Oaths Act.”
It is also stated in his prayers, “traditionally, it is the only Olubadan of Ibadanland that can crown in Ibadanland.
“That the Olubadan is lacking in power to unilaterally elevate the ten High Chiefs to the status of His Royal Majesty in Ibadanland without the approval of the 12th Defendant.
“That the High Chiefs who are now being elevated to status of His Royal Majesty cannot vying for the throne of Olubadan, as they are no longer Chiefs of Olubadan.
“An Order of this Honourable court restraining the Defendants from preventing the claimant (Ladoja) from ascending the throne of Olubadan when it is his turn.”
