The family of Abilawon of Maku ruling house in Ado-Awaye, Iseyin local government area of Oyo State has dragged Governor Abiola Ajimobi before an Oyo State High Court sitting in Iseyin over the Alado of Ado-Awaye stool.
The claimant, Prince Folarin Abilawon, in suit number HSY/16/16 asked the court for a declaration that he is the rightful candidate for the stool of Alado of Ado Awaye.
This, according to the court processes, was following his nomination through a declaration dated 11th July, 1985.
In his statement of claim dated 8th December, 2016, the claimant averred that his nomination sparked court cases from three other ruling houses in suit no HOY/42/86.
The suit, the claimant said, was fought to the supreme court level which directed it back to the Oyo State High Court to be heard ‘de-novo’ before same was dispensed off for being incompetent and caught by limitation of law in March, 2016.
Abilawon also told the court that he sought and got the consent of Alaafin of Oyo vide a consenting letter dated 28th August, 1995.
According to him, two letters were sent to the Oyo State government in July 2016 to communicate state of things as to his installation but that the government responded by reconstituting the kingmakers in the town.
The claimant further said that following the neglect of the case by the ruling houses, his name was forwarded to the then Military Administrator of Oyo State in a letter dated 19th August, 1995.
Despite the subsisting case, Abilawon accused Ajimobi of appointing Prince Ademola Folakanmi as Alado of Ado Awaye via a letter dated 10th May, 2017, the decision that it challenged through a motion on notice dated 14th June, 2017.
Abilawon prayed the court, in the interest of justice, to nullify the appointment and installation while the suit is still pending before the court.
Justice E.S. Bolaji, according to the Claimant’s Counsel, Femi Akinbolusere, has however reserved ruling on the application after same was moved in chambers.