Ladoja asks court to set aside panel’s report on Olubadan stool

A former governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has asked the state high court to set aside the report submitted to Governor Abiola Ajimobi by the Justice O. A. Akintunde-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

Inaugurated on May 19 with the mandate to, among others, review the process leading to the emergence of the Olubadan of Ibadaland, the panel turned in its report to Governor Ajimobi last Friday, recommending the crowning of about 32 Obas in Ibadan with Olubadan as the paramount ruler.

The constitution of the panel had been subject of a litigation filed by Ladoja, who had asked the court to restrain the panel from sitting or accepting memoranda from people pending the determination of the suit.

Michael Lana, lead counsel to Ladoja, in a motion filed before Justice M. I. Sule, on Monday, asked the court to nullify the proceedings of the panel and its report.

Lana also prayed the court to compel Justice Boade and members of the panel to appear before it to explain why they should not be slammed for contempt.

But the motion could not be moved as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwaseun Abimbola, who appeared for Governor Ajimobi, said the governor was yet to be served with the processes.

But the application to have the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, removed from the suit was moved by Lana.

Balogun, who initially jointly filed the suit with Ladoja, later backed out.

After listening to the parties, Justice Sule adjourned till September 5, to enable the attorney general be properly served and file his reply to the processes.