Gbadegesin, through his legal representative Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), also seeks an injunction to prevent Owoade from assuming the throne or carrying out any royal duties.
Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, a contender for the Alaafin of Oyo throne, has filed a lawsuit at the Oyo State High Court, seeking to challenge the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin.
The suit, submitted on February 12, 2025, seeks the reversal of Owoade’s appointment, arguing it contravenes both the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
Gbadegesin, through his legal representative Kunle Sobaloju (SAN), also seeks an injunction to prevent Owoade from assuming the throne or carrying out any royal duties.
His suit names Governor Seyi Makinde; Attorney General of Oyo State, and 11 others as defendants, requesting that they appear before the court within 30 days.
In the legal document, Gbadegesin argues: “The governor’s approval of Owoade’s appointment within five days of its presentation was unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void.”
He claims that the Oyomesi, the kingmakers, had already selected him as the rightful heir to the throne.
He further argues that the governor’s decision breached due process, stating, “The selection of the fourth defendant as the Alaafin of Oyo was carried out to the exclusion of rightful kingmakers who were neither suspended nor removed.”
Gbadegesin is calling for the court to recognise his nomination as valid and for a declaration affirming that the kingmakers’ selection process should stand.
“The claimant, having been validly nominated by the Agunloye Ruling House and/or selected, appointed, and proclaimed by the kingmakers of the Alaafin of Oyo (known as Oyomesi) as the candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo in accordance with the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961, his appointment is valid, lawful, and proper,” he argues.
Additionally, Gbadegesin seeks an order directing the Governor of Oyo State to approve his appointment as the rightful heir, as recommended by the Oyomesi and the Agunloye Ruling House.
He also requests an injunction preventing the recognition of Owoade as the Alaafin and the payment of any allowances or office-related stipends to him.
Gbadegesin is calling for the court to annul the nomination, selection, and approval of Owoade’s appointment, asserting that the process violated key legal provisions, rendering it “unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid, null, and void.”
The lawsuit follows a pre-action notice from Sobaloju, which was addressed to the governor, highlighting the alleged violations of the Oyo State Chiefs Law, 2000.
Despite this legal challenge, the Oyo State Government has initiated preparations for the coronation of Owoade, with a coronation committee already meeting.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Governor Makinde appointed Prince Owoade as the new Alaafin, ending a two-year wait since the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III in 2022.
The official announcement was made on January 13, 2024, when Governor Makinde presented Owoade with the staff of office.
During the coronation ceremony, Governor Makinde stressed that any individuals found guilty of accepting bribes during the selection process would face legal consequences and be held accountable.
The Oyomesi, comprising High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chief Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief stand-in for Asipa of Oyo; and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief stand-in for Alapinní of Oyo, expressed their discontent in a letter to the governor, signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN) for the law firm, Kunle Sobaloju & Co.
The letter dated January 14, 2025 and addressed to the state governor is titled, “Curbing Public Statements Maligning The Integrity Of The Oyomesi.”
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