An Oyo High Court, located in Awe, has postponed the hearing of a new lawsuit brought by the Oyo kingmakers (Oyomesi) against Governor Seyi Makinde and two others regarding the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo. The adjournment is scheduled for December 14. The Attorney General Commissioner for Justice and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters have been named as co-defendants in the suit, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The claimants in the suit (No HOY/41/2023) include High Chief Yusuf Ayoola (Basorun of Oyo), High Chief Wakeel Oyedepo (Lagunna), High Chief Amuda Yusuf (Akinniku), High Chief Waheed Oyetunji (Aare Ago Basorun), and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau (Baale Alapo).
The kingmakers, represented by their Lead Counsel, Mr. Kazeem Sobaloju, filed the suit after the withdrawal and subsequent dismissal of a similar case by the court. Sobaloju informed the court about two pending applications filed on November 1 regarding the matter.
Despite being served with the counter affidavit to the notice of preliminary objection and the interim injunction just 45 minutes before, Sobaloju requested the court to maintain the status quo. He mentioned having filed a counter affidavit to the notice of the preliminary objection.
On the other hand, the defense counsel, Mr. L.A. Abiola, also the Director of the Department of Civil Litigation and Advisory Council in the state Ministry of Justice, assured the court of their readiness to proceed with the application for the notice of preliminary objection. He emphasized their commitment to the legal battle.
All the claimants were present in court, and the Presiding Judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola, announced that, in agreement with both counsels, the matter would be heard on December 14 to address the preliminary objection filed by the defense counsel.