Removal from office: Baale files N2m suit against Olubadan

FOR his purported removal from office, the Baale of Olode town in Oluyole local government area of Ibadan, Chief Luman Ilufemiloye Alao, has filed a N2m suit against the ‎Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (Aje ogungunniso 1) to challenge his removal from office and ask for his reinstatement.

Joined as co-defendants in the suit are the Olubadan-in-Council, Oluyole Local Government and the new Baale, Mr Dauda Odeyemi.

In a Motion on Notice filed on his behalf by his counsel, Mr Saani Oyedele, Chief Luman is asking for his reinstatement and N2milion general damages as cost for the pain, embarrassment and degradation he said he suffered over what he called his unlawful deposition by Olubadan.
Chief Alao in his averment claimed that he was removed from office on Monday January 9, 2017, and a new Baale appointed and sworn-in immediately by the traditional rulers, adding that the meeting held on the January 9, 2017, was not properly constituted and consequently breached all principle of fair hearing.

According to him, he was not given any petition written against him while none was heard by the Olubadan-in-Council ‎before the decision to install the new Baale was taken.

Alao who in his statement of claim said he was installed the Baale on December 3, 2007, averred that the chieftaincy stool had been rotated for time in memorial between the families of Odegbero and‎ Aborisade, adding that the father of the new Baale, the late Chief Olayiwola Odeyemi Ejo, who was his immediate predecessor, was removed in 2007 ‎because he not from either of the chieftaincy families, adding that Odeyemi is from a small village called ‎Ejo, about 10kms away from Olode town.
He consequently prayed the court to declare ‎the January 7, 2017 meeting as ultra vires as he was not given the opportunity to defend himself on any allegation made against him, adding that the newly installed Baale of Olode‎ was not qualified to occupy the position as he was not a member of the Olode chieftaincy family.

He asked the court to give an order declaring that his purported deposition was unlawful, null and void and an order that the stool of Olode was not vacant and he still remains the Baale of Olode.

He prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Odeyemi from parading himself as the Baale ‎of Olode.

No date has been fixed for hearing.