Set aside Bello’s installation, family prays court

The Olanwa Ruling House of Isheri-Olofin has prayed the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja to set aside the purported installation of Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Bello as the oba-elect of the community.

The plaintiffs in the suit are the head of the Olanwa Family, Alhaji Adebiyi Lamidi and two others: Prince Moruf Adebiyi and Prince Lukeman Adebiyi. They said that they sued for themselves and on behalf of the Olanwa Ruling House.

They claimed that Bello was installed despite a subsisting court order. Through their counsel, Mr George Oguntade (SAN), the plaintiffs had filed a motion asking the court to restrain the first defendant as the Oba Elect of Isheri Olofin.

The motion was argued on November 22 and a ruling was to be delivered on December 11. According to the plaintiffs, Bello was installed as the Oba on the same day parties were to be in court for the ruling.

The court ruled, upheld the plaintiffs’ motion and restrained him from parading himself as Oba Elect The plaintiffs have filed a motion to set aside the purported installation and are in the process of commencing contempt proceedings against the first defendant.

Other defendants in the suit are the Balogun of Isheri-Olofin, Chief Fasasi Balogun; the Eletu of Isheri-Olofin, Chief Saheed Adebiyi; the Otun of Isheri-Olofin, Chief Kolawole Ogundeyi; the Osi of Isheri-Olofin, Chief Idowu Erinfolami and eight others.

The plaintiffs are praying for “a restorative order setting aside the purported installation of the first defendant as the new Oba of Isheri-Olofin at a ceremony which took place at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat on December 11, 2024.”

They are seeking an order restraining the 12th and 13th defendants (chieftaincy ministry and the governor) from any credence or recognition whatsoever to the purported installation of the first defendant pending the hearing and determination of this suit.

The motion is supported by an affidavit deposed to by Chief Lamidi, Head of the plaintiff’s Royal Family which is one of the four Ruling Houses of Isheri-Olofin. He swore that it is their turn to fill the vacant Obaship Stool of Isheri-Olofin under the extant Isheri-Olofin Chieftaincy Declaration dated June 1, 1983.

The deponent stated that the ministry was yet to approve the first defendant’s appointment as the Oba of Isheri-Olofin and has not presented the staff of office to him in recognition of that appointment.

He urged the court to invoke its disciplinary jurisdiction aimed at preserving its dignity and majesty by reversing the action taken by the first to 12th defendants to preserve the res and restore the status quo ante bellum.