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| Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu |
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has held that Oba Rilwan Akiolu is the legitimate Oba of Lagos in a suit challenging his emergence as the paramount ruler of Lagos by Adedoyin Adebiyi and Rasheed Modile, two members of the Lagos royal family.
The trial judge Justice A. Candide-Johnson while delivering judgment yesterday held that Akiolu is the lawful, legitimate and valid Oba of Lagos 16 years after his installation.
The judge held that the claimant failed to prove their case and that what they tendered as evidence was full of inconsistence. He said that the onus lies on the part of who alleges breach to proof is case their case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge had earlier on the judgement held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to upturn long established custom of over 200 years for enthroning the Oba of Lagos.
He added that, what the claimants had attempted to do with the suit is a burning desire to overturn succession disaster of over 239 years.
On whether Akiolu was installed before 90 days, the judge held that the claimants’ argument was not supported with documentary evidence. He held that documentary evidence helps to show where the truth lies.
It would be recalled that the claimants instituted the suit in 2003 against the state governor, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Babatunde Akitoye and Junaid Eko.
Messrs Adebiyi and Modile are claiming that Akiolu is not entitled to the throne because he is not a member of a ruling royal family by not being a direct descendant of Oba Ado, the first Oba of Lagos. According to the claimants, only members of the Ologun Kutere and Akinsemoyin ruling houses are entitled to the throne.
They also alleged that proper customary rules and procedures were not followed when he was appointed Oba in May 2003.
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The trial judge Justice A. Candide-Johnson while delivering judgment yesterday held that Akiolu is the lawful, legitimate and valid Oba of Lagos 16 years after his installation.
The judge held that the claimant failed to prove their case and that what they tendered as evidence was full of inconsistence. He said that the onus lies on the part of who alleges breach to proof is case their case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge had earlier on the judgement held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to upturn long established custom of over 200 years for enthroning the Oba of Lagos.
He added that, what the claimants had attempted to do with the suit is a burning desire to overturn succession disaster of over 239 years.
On whether Akiolu was installed before 90 days, the judge held that the claimants’ argument was not supported with documentary evidence. He held that documentary evidence helps to show where the truth lies.
It would be recalled that the claimants instituted the suit in 2003 against the state governor, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Babatunde Akitoye and Junaid Eko.
Messrs Adebiyi and Modile are claiming that Akiolu is not entitled to the throne because he is not a member of a ruling royal family by not being a direct descendant of Oba Ado, the first Oba of Lagos. According to the claimants, only members of the Ologun Kutere and Akinsemoyin ruling houses are entitled to the throne.
They also alleged that proper customary rules and procedures were not followed when he was appointed Oba in May 2003.
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