Ibadan Obaship: High Chief Rashidi Ladoja Approaches Court, Files Suit Against Makinde, Olubadan
The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, has alleged that the Olubadan, Ọba Olalekan Balogun, is plotting to prevent him from ascending the throne when it is his time.
In a suit filed by the former governor, 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 is the Olubadan while the 12th defendant is ‘Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State. The second to eleventh defendants are the elevated Obas.
”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 1″ Defendant.
“That since he has made it known to the I” 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 1 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 1° 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.”
