In a recent development, the Oyo High Court, seated in Awe, Afijio Local Council of Oyo State, has dismissed a case filed by the Oyo Mesi (kingmakers) against Governor Seyi Makinde, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters concerning the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo, citing administrative defects.
The lawsuit, bearing the reference HOY/14/2023, was initiated by prominent members of the Oyo Mesi, including Chief Yusuf Layinka (Bashorun of Oyo), Chief Wakeel Oyedepo (Lagunna of Oyo), Chief Amusa Yusuf (Akinniku of Oyo), Chief Wahab Oyetunji (Areago Bashorun), and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau (Alapo of Oyo), following the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III at the age of 82. The selection of the next Alaafin has since been embroiled in legal contention.
The claimants sought a court injunction to prevent Makinde and his representatives from overriding their choice for the selected candidate to fill the vacant stool, asserting that the kingmakers duly conducted the selection process.
However, in the ruling on the notice of preliminary objection filed by the defendants, Justice Ladiran Akintola highlighted a critical deficiency in the case. He noted the absence of proof of service to inform the governor of the kingmakers' decision regarding the selection process outcome.
Citing this procedural flaw, the court decided to strike out the case, emphasizing the necessity of serving the notice of the selection outcome to the governor.
Justice Akintola declared, "This court found merit in the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by the defendants/applicants against the claimants/respondents in this case. The same succeeds; accordingly, all the issues raised for determination of this court by learned counsels on both sides are thereby resolved in favor of the defendants/applicants but against the claimants/respondents."
With the court's decision, the legal battle over the Alaafin stool vacancy takes a new turn, leaving room for further developments in the ongoing selection process and potential ramifications for the future of Oyo's chieftaincy affairs.
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