The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun and seven others have been ordered by an Oyo State High Court to narrow down their arguments, on the validity of a consent judgment given by the State High Court on November 19, 2019 as regards their obaship titles.
Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola, gave the order today, Jan. 14, 2022 while ruling on the suit.
He said there were some ambiguities in the suit’s processes, adding that this made the need for further clarifications of addresses necessary.
The judge explained that the processes filed by parties in the matter when the case came before the court for determination on the validity of the consent judgment were many.
Justice Abimbola however, cautioned all counsels to ensure their addresses stay focused on the law and not deviate from laid down principles of practice and points of law.
He condemned the situation where lawyers now do analysis on the facts of a case before the court in public places, adding that it is not good practice that letters written by lawyers are flying about on social media on a matter that is pending before the court.
He warned counsels to desist from such acts, stating that as ministers in the court of justice, they are to calm tension, emphasising the need to stop talking about issues before the court and desecrating the hallowed temple of the judiciary.
Meanwhile, Balogun and seven others filed a suit against the governor of Oyo state and five others, asking the court to determine whether the terms of settlement of consent judgment in suit m/317/ 2017 between Chief Rashidi Ladoja vs the Governor of Oyo State of November 19,2019, did not prejudice and negatively affect their interests.
They further asked the court to determine whether the terms of settlement and consequent judgment in respect of vested legal interests of third parties has not fraudulently and prejudicially divested them of their rights and interests vested in them to wear beaded crowns and coronet titles by virtue of Gazette No 14, Vol 42 of August 23, 2017; No 15, Vol 42 of August 24, 2017 and No 3, Vol 43 of March 2018.
Also, they asked the court to determine whether the consent judgment is not null and void, having fraudulently deprived the claimants who were not parties to the suit of their rights and interest vested in them by the gazette and whether it is not null and void, having been obtained by fraud and concealment of facts.
The High Chiefs also asked the court to determine whether the terms of settlement is not irregular, fraudulent and deceptive, rendering the consent judgment a nullity.
They, therefore, asked for a declaration of court ordering that the consent judgment is not binding in law and enforceable against them who are not parties to the terms of settlement and suit and is consequently null and void as well as an injunction restraining government and its agencies from disturbing them from the enjoyment of the rights and privileges conferred on them by law and by virtue of various instruments purportedly set aside or annulled on account of the consent judgment.
It will be recalled that members of the Olubadan-in-Council promoted to Kings from their High Chiefs position had yesterday agreed to drop the titles.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at Olubadan’s Palace in Oja’ba by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, which also had in attendance the coronet-wearing Obas who were Baales in the suburbs of Ibadan before their elevation and some Mogajis.
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