OGUN: 75 UPGRADED OBA’S DRAGS GOV. DAPO ABIODUN TO COURT, REVEALS IMPLICATION OF HIS ACTION

The imbroglio of traditional leadership tussles which has linger for months in Ogun State, amongst High Monarchs, Ogun State Government and the newly upgraded Royal Fathers by the former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, is no doubt likely to be an ill wind that blows no one no good, if the courageous measures that will peacefully and positively restore social harmony is failed, to be put in place by the respectable leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun. This indication was revealed after the decision of the current Governor to demote the newly upgraded 75 traditional Monarchs, Thecitypulsenews reports

It will be recalled that former Governor Ibikunle Amosun had upgraded the 75 chiefs from Baales to Obas of their respective domains, saying it was in accordance with the Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2006. But, Governer Abiodun recently reversed the upgrade of the said Obas, following a report of a review committee headed by the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

Not satisfied, the claimants dragged before an Ogun State High Court, the Governor of Ogun State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, the Ogun House of Assembly and the Attorney General of Ogun State.

Before and after their installation as Royal Ftahers, the concerned Obas have reportedly implemented several community projects on their individual efforts to transform their kingdoms and relief the pains of people in their given domains and communities. Gathered information reveals that, Governor Dapo Abiodun was secretly under pressure by the existing different Council Of Royal Fathers in the State to demote the newly upgraded Obas in order to sustain their government financial allocations as their budget would be affected in the process, this no doubt must have been the reason for not standing to defend the upgrade of the affected Royal Fathers by the former Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

In their claim they are seeking judicial intervention to prevail against the decision of Governor Dapo Abiodun, saying the Governor has no power to demote them as stated In a 27 paragraphed Affidavit, the claimants said, By virtue of the provisions of Section 30 SubSections (1) & (2) of the Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2006, the Executive Council of the Government of Ogun State can only suspend and depose an erring Oba”, saying their demotion was illegal. 11 of the affected monarchs have filed the suit, for themselves and on behalf of the entire 75 chiefs appointed as Coronet Obas by the government of Ogun state on May 13, 2019.

More declarations in the suit include: A Declaration that the purported reversal or revocation of the Claimants upgrading, appointment and promotion as Coronet Obas is a nullity and of no effect whatsoever.

A Declaration that the Defendants Chieftaincy Review Committee set up to purportedly review the upgrading, appointments and promotion of the Claimants as Traditional Rulers and the activities of the said Committee is an afterthought and a nullity.

A Declaration that the Defendants are estopped from reversing or revoking the upgrading, appointment and promotion of the Claimants as Coronet Obas in Ogun state and/or preventing Claimants from acting, parading or referring to themselves and being referred to as Coronet Obas of their respective Communities, the said Claimants having been earlier upgraded, appointed and promoted by the Government of Ogun State acting through the Defendants as Coronet Obas over their respective Communities in Ogun State and carrying on the performance of the duties of their offices as Coronet Obas to the knowledge and acknowledgment of the Defendants.

A Declaration that the Defendants cannot capriciously reverse or revoke the upgrading, appointments and promotions of the Defendants in the absence of any complaint against the upgrading, appointment and promotion of the Claimants duly brought to the attention of the Claimants for their defence/response.

An Order setting aside the purported reversal or revocation of the Claimants upgrading, appointment and promotion as Coronet Obas in Ogun State.

An Order compelling the defendants to rescind forthwith, the purported reversal and/or revocation of the upgrading, appointments and promotion of the Claimants as Coronet Obas of their respective Communities.

An Order Compelling the Defendants to pay all remunerations and entitlements due but unpaid to each of the Claimants as Coronet Obas over their respective Communities to the said Claimants from 13th May 2019 when their upgrading, appointment and promotion took effect till date and thereafter.

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An Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the Defendants, their privies, agents and servants from interfering in any way or manner whatsoever and howsoever described with the upgrading, appointments and promotion of the Claimants except in accordance to law.

It is absolutely NOT in dispute that the Defendants upgraded, appointed and promoted the Claimants as Coronet Obas over their respective Communities with effect from 13th May 2019 and published the said upgrading, appointment and promotion in the Official Gazette of Ogun State Government and the Claimants have been so recognized and acknowledged by the Government of Ogun State as Coronet Obas over their respective Communities since 13th May 2019.

Whilst the affected OBAs hope to get justice on the suit, they also pray the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun to understand that It is refreshing to point out that the Claimants are Chiefs within the meaning of the Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2006 which defines the word Chief to mean a person whose chieftaincy title is associated with a native community and includes a minor chief and a recognized chief.”

Revealing more implications on the Governors action, the interviewed members of some of the communities indicated that the decision is not acceptable by the people in affected communities as it would affect their already upgraded status and history profile as towns going by the development the affected Royal Fathers are already bringing to the communities involved which the long existing Royal Monarchs never deemed fit to do. Most areas of concerned are the avoidable reactions by youths in various affected communities coupled with the massive turn-against that will likely blow a bad deal on the APC further elections in the Ogun State.

Some of the claimants identified themselves as:

OBA TANIMOWO DAVID FOLARIN, (OLU OF IPEBI IJEBU IMUSHIN)

OBA OLAYINKA A.A. AKINSANYA, (OLU OF PATA ORILE)

OBA HALARU ISHOLA HASSAN OYEBELLO, (OLU 0F ATOYO MEJE)

OBA AKIBU IDOWU, (OLU OF APODE)

OBA HUNGBO MATHEW AJEYIGBE, (OLU OF AGBOJETHO ERE)

OBA JOHN AFOLABI BABAJIDE FADOUNGBO, (OLU OF OKO- EIYE)

OBA ISMAILA RASAK SHOKUNBI