A fresh legal tussle has emerged over the Alaafin of Oyo throne as Prince Lukman Gbadegesin has filed a legal action, challenging the propriety of the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin.
In a suit filed at the Oyo State High Court on February 12, Gbadegesin is asking the court to nullify Owoade’s appointment on the grounds that it violates the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
In the application filed by his lawyer, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), Gbadegesin is contending that Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval of Owoade’s selection within five days was “unlawful, unconstitutional, and invalid.”
The suit, which names Governor Makinde, the Attorney General of Oyo State, and 11 others as defendants, seeks a declaration affirming Gbadegesin as the rightful candidate, claiming the Oyomesi (kingmakers) had already selected him.
Gbadegesin further alleges that the selection process was flawed, as some legitimate kingmakers were sidelined despite not being suspended or removed.
He is therefore seeking the following reliefs: a declaration affirming his nomination as lawful, an order compelling the governor to approve his appointment, an injunction preventing the state government and its agents from recognizing Owoade as the Alaafin, a halt on the payment of salaries, allowances, or any entitlements to Owoade, and a nullification of Owoade’s appointment and staff of office presentation, insisting that due process was not followed.
Despite the ongoing court case, the Oyo State Government is pressing ahead with coronation arrangements.
A coronation committee has been constituted and has already held its inaugural meeting.
