Ooni: Lowa Takes Over, As Kingmakers Extend Nomination To Other Ruling Houses
The Lowa of Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaodola, will now lead other king-makers in the selection of a new Ooni. This is following the demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade II, and his second in command, Obalufe, Oba Solomon Folorunsho Omisakin.
It was gathered that the decision was reached after the Warrant Chiefs' and Elder's meeting.
It would be recalled that the Daily Times exclusively reported that Princes Taye Ogunleye, a reputable lawyer and Enitan Ogunwusi, a businessman, were major contenders for the Ooni stool.
But the selection process took another twist due to an allegation of forgery and subsequent investigation by Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Ogunwusi.
Before then, Ogunwusi, was rumoured to be the favourite of the king-makers.
One of the king-makers, who did not want his name in print, said that they had decided that all ruling the houses should present three candidates each.
In a related development, an Osun State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge, Hon Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, has dismissed a suit challenging the competence of Ooni of Ife 1980 Chieftaincy Declaration.
Sooko Adegoke and Prince Marcus Adebola Akimoyero had, on behalf of Lafogido Ruling House of Ile-Ife, sued Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin (now late) and the Lowa of Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaodola, on the decision to allow only Giesi Ruling House present the next Ooni.
The plaintiffs were asking for the order of the court to set aside 1980 declaration, saying that it was lopsided, unjust, unconstitutional and unfair.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Soji Oyetayo, sought an order of the court preventing the defendants from embarking on the processes to select the new Ooni from Giesi Ruling House, because of the alleged flaw in the 1980 declaration.
But, respondents contended that it was too late to challenge the declaration after it has been used to produce the late Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
Counsel to Aregbesola, who is the first respondent, Mr. Wale Afolabi, submitted that the suit filed by the plaintiffs was incompetent after 35 years that the declaration has been made.
Also, counsel to the second and third defendants, Mr. Peter Ogunleye, urged the court to dismiss the suit for lack of competence and uphold the 1980 declaration as authentic.
In her ruling, Justice Ojo held that the Ooni Chieftaincy Declaration was made in September 14, 1979 and registered in January 28, 1980, adding that the plaintiffs should have instituted their suit within five years of registration of the declaration.
The judge ruled that the suit was grossly incompetent declaring that "the suit and the claim therein are accordingly dismissed."
Justice Ojo told the counsel to apply wisdom to the earlier judgment which is a similar case by different ruling house, saying she could not overrule herself.
http://dailytimes.com.ng/ooni-lowa-takes-over-as-kingmakers-extend-nomination-to-other-ruling-houses/
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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