Just a week after the Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Lekan Balogun elevated and crowned ten out of the 11 members of his Olubadan-in-Council, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja has dragged the monarch to Oyo High Court over the decision.
Governor Seyi Makinde, Oyo Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice and the ten elevated Obas were also joined in the suit.
While the Olubadan is the 1st Defendant, the ten elevated Obas are 2nd to 11th Defendant, Makinde is the 12th Attorney General is the 13th Defendant.
Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan, was supposed to benefit from the gesture but did not show up for the coronation.
He did the same during former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration when the High Chiefs were presented with beaded crowns.
The Olubadan, on Friday, July 7 at Mapo Hall, Ibadan presented crowns to the elevated High Chiefs.
But, Ladoja in his prayers before the court, is suspecting the Olubadan of plotting to stop him from becoming the Olubadan when it gets to his turn with his refusal to be crowned with other High Chiefs in the Olubadan-in-Council.
He also said the decision of Olubadan to elevate the High Chiefs to Obas is contrary to Oyo State of Nigeria Gazette No. 03 Vol 47 dated 11 February 2022 as well as against the tenor of judgement in M/317/2017 between High Chief (Senator) Rashidi Ladoja Vs The Governor of Oyo State and Others delivered on the 19th day of November 2019.
Makinde, who was at the event as a guest, presented the staff and instrument of office to the new Obas.
According to the court papers sighted by The Nation, Ladoja wants the court to make a declaration that “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.”
