Residents of Ajah community protested yesterday at the Lagos State House of Assembly over the alleged imposition of a member of the Olumegbon family as the traditional ruler of the area.

The protesters claimed that a subsisting interlocutory court order directed the Olumegbon family and the state government to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a case currently before the Lagos High Court.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Secretary-General of the Ajah community, Mr Kazeem Odunlami, emphasised that the chieftaincy dispute is unresolved and still before the court under suit number LD/6432GCMW/2019. He called on the state government to respect the legal process before installing any monarch in Ajah.

Odunlami argued that the Olumegbon chieftaincy declaration applies to Lagos Island and not Ajah, insisting that recognising the Olumegbon family in Ajah would lead to a breakdown of law and order.

He said the only recognised chieftaincy in Ajah since colonial times is the Baale (Olomodi) of Ajah, adding that the Olumegbon family lacks historical or judicial legitimacy to claim rulership over Ajah.

“The government must avoid approving an obaship title that could lead to chaos and anarchy in Ajah town. Since 1957, the Ajah Chieftaincy Declaration has been in effect, and the Baale of Ajah is the only recognised representative in the Eti-Osa Chieftaincy Committee,” Odunlami said.

He further described the alleged plan to approve the Olumegbon family as rulers of Ajah as a move that could “bring destruction on the good people of Ajah.”

In response, lawmakers representing Badagry 1 and Surulere 1 constituencies, Mr Solomon Bonu and Mr Desmond Elliot, assured the protesters of the Assembly’s commitment to resolving the issue. Bonu said a committee would be set up to engage with the community and seek a lasting solution.