Oba Akiolu testifies in suit seeking his removal

lagos—Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos yesterday defended his traditional stool as Oba of Lagos before a Lagos High court sitting in Ikeja.

Oba Akiolu who arrived the court premises with an entourage comprising of his palace orderlies and white cap chiefs, testified in a suit questioning the Oba’s right to the throne.

• VISIT: From left: Medical Director, Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa Region, Dr Kodjo Soroh; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and Director, Corporate Affairs, Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa Region,
Mrs Margaret Olele during the courtesy visit by Pfizer to the Oba at his palace last week in Lagos.

The suit was instituted in 2012. The three arguments made by the claimants include that Akiolu did not observe the 90 days interval
between the death of an Oba and the selection of another, rotation of the kingship among members of the royal family, and the existence of a registered declaration for the stool of Lagos.

Oba Akiolu, in his defence, stated that the 90-day interval rule was a fallacy and has never existed as Oba Dosunmu before him was appointed a day after the demise of Oba Akintoye.

Led in evidence in court by his counsel, Tokunbo Mumuni, the Oba said : “I’m here to justify my appointment and installation, you cannot build something on nothing, it will not stand.

“By native law and customs and by law, I am the bonafide Oba of Lagos,” Akiolu said. His appointment and eventual installation as the Oba of Lagos is being challenged by Prince Adedoyin Adebiyi and Prince Rasheed Modile, two members of a Lagos royal family.

Joined as defendants in the case are the Governor of Lagos State, Attorney-General of Lagos State, Prince Babatunde Akitoye and Chief Junaid Eko.
The plaintiffs 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.

They argued that only members of the Ologun Kutere and Akinsemoyin ruling households were entitled to the throne, adding that proper customary rules and procedures were not followed when he
was appointed as Oba in May 2003.

Led in evidence by his lawyer, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, Akiolu revealed how he was instaled and the procedure he followed to become the king.

“After I made my intention known to my family that I wanted to be Oba of Lagos, I applied for the throne.
“In May 2003, the head of the king makers and the then sole administrator of Lagos Island called at my residence.

“At that time I was preparing to go to the mosque and I received a letter from the state government and the executive council of Lagos.

“The letter was accepting my nomination that I have been approved to be a worthy successor of the then late Oba of Lagos.

“It will be exactly 14 years tomorrow, on May 23, 2003 that my appointment was approved.

“By the grace of Almighty Allah, there is nothing like rotation in the succession to be the Oba of Lagos,” Akiolu said.

However, under cross examinations by Mr Babatunde Fashanu (SAN), lawyer to the claimants on whether proper customary procedure was followed when he became king, Akiolu said he was customarily installed as Oba by king makers.

“Akiolu is a direct descendant of Oba Ologun Kutere, there is no registered declaration for the throne.
“It is the old customs and the recommendations of the Price Commission which is over 100 years ago that is valid till now,” he said. Akiolu also debunked claims that Akiolu royal family was not a ruling house because it was non-existent.

“Despite the letter from Lagos State confirming my appointment as Oba stating that I am from the Akiolu royal family. I want to make it clear that a royal family and ruling house means the same thing.

“My appointment as the king is the first time in history that king makers will be unanimous in selecting an Oba of Lagos,” he said. Justice A. Candide-Johnson, adjourned the case until June 19 for continuation of trial.