The desire of Prince Olasukunmi Lawal Bello to become the Oba-elect of Isheri Olofin Kingdom has suffered a set back following the declaration of his kingship as null and void by a Court in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Lagos State High Court removed Prince Olasukunmi Lawal Bello as the Oba-elect of Isheri Olofin Kingdom and ordered the Kingmakers to begin the process of selection of another person to occupy the vacant stool.
The Presiding Judge, Justice A.M. Lawal, also ordered Prince Bello not to parade himself as Oba-elect because the selection process was a nullity and the Kingmakers should follow the regulations and guidelines for the selection of Oba in Isheri Olofin kingdom.
In the Court ruling dated 11th December, 2024, Justice Lawal stated the following:
“An Oba can only emerge after the procedure contained in the Chieftaincy Declaration is followed and complied with. From the facts of the 1st (Bello) – 3rd and 6th – 8th Defendants, the 1st Defendant emerged from the meeting and an election conducted by the Obas’ and Joint Chieftainey Committee of Alimosho, Paragraphs 13-15 of the Counter-Affidavit and not from the meeting and decision of the Kingmakers of Isheri-Olofin, the emergence of the 1st Defendant as the Oba-Elect is also faulty, it makes no difference that the kingmakers were in attendance at the Oba’s meeting. A new Oba is to be produced from the decision of the kingmakers in accordance with the Chieftaincy Declaration. For this reason, the 1st Defendant has not emerged in accordance with the Chieftainey Declaration of Isheri-Olofin and he is also restrained from calling himself or parading himself as the Oba-Elect of Isheri-Olofin. The kingmakers are directed to do their duty to take decision, consider and recommend appropriate an person to fill the vacant stool of Oba of Isheri Olofin.”
The judgment may have sealed the fate of Prince Bello of becoming Oba of Isheri Olofin kingdom and it is not certain if he will be part of the fresh process as directed by the Court.
The claimants were Alhaji Adebiyi Lamidi, Prince Moruf Adebiyi and Prince Lukeman Jaiyeola Adebiyi while the 12 defendants in the suit included Olasukunmi Lawal Bello, Fasasi Balogun, Saheed Adebiyi, Kolawole Ogundeyi, Idowu Erinfolami, Lateef Abogunloko, Ekundayo Abogunloko, and Wasiu Ogundeyi.
Others were the Executives Chairman Egbe idimu, Chieftency Committee in Alimosho, Lagos State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, and the Lagos State Governor.
After the ruling, counsel to the claimants Counsel, Barrister G.M.O. Oguntade,SAN, commended the Court for the ruling, stating that the Court has restored peace to the Isheri Olofin kingdom.
“it is abnormal for an institution to go ahead and install a king when the matter is still in the Court of jurisdiction, also it will be out of law for a system to just embark on the a process without consultation.”
“We got our injunction from the Court as law abiding citizens to secure a stay that has been granted. We are not moved but remain calm as we wait for the previous judgement, also their lawyer was in Court as he was served”, he added.
It is not yet certain when the Isheri Olofin Kingmakers will start the selection of new candidates for the vacant stool.