The Oyo State Government under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi has conferred Obaship title on the embattled Baale of Lanlate, Abdulateef Olawuyi Olagoke.
This is despite a court judgement that asked the embattled monarch to vacate the stool.
Olagoke was sacked by a High Court in the state in a judgement delivered on October 5th, 2018 after 19 years legal battle on who is the rightful person to occupy the stool.
Amid the crisis, the Oyo State Government, in a letter dated February 13, 2012, installed Olagoke of Bioku house as the Baale of the town following the controversial deposition of Sunday Olusegun Bolawale Oladejo.
But delivering his judgment last year, Justice B.A Taiwo, of the State’s High Court held that Olagoke’s installation was “unlawful, illegal, null and void”.
The court also nullified Olagoke’s deposition also describing it as “unlawful, illegal, null and void” and “a breach of the right of the claimants to fair hearing.”
The court also restrained the state government and its agencies from recognizing Olagoke as the Baale of Lanlate and also restrained him (Olagoke) from parading himself as the Baale of Lanlate also known as Onilala of Lanlate.
The government was then ordered to reinstate Oladejo to his position as Baale of Lanlate and restore all the rights, privileges and entitlements attached to his office.
In the circular issued from the Ministry of Local Govrenment and Chieftaincy Affairs and addressed to the Baale, the state government described him as Royal Majesty, Onilala of Lanlate, conferred Obaship on Abdul-Lateef Olawuyi Olagoke of Bioku family.
The Lanlate Progressive Forum, while commenting on the move called on Ajimobi to stop the allocating of beaded crown to the embattled monarch.
The forum in a statement signed by Tunde Adeyemi (President) and Kunle Taiwo (Secretary) a copy of winch was made available to DAILY POST on Friday urged the state government to respect the court judgement.
The statement read, “The government of Oyo state is aware of the judgement and a party in the said case.
“We notice that rather than the state government to implement the judgement of the state high court by Hon. Justice B. A Taiwo, the government is conferring Obaship on whom is no more recognized by Law as the Baale of Lanlate.
“We are using this medium to call on the commissioner for justice and Attorney General of the state, Oyo state Chief Judge, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Oyo State and the Chairman Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs as a matter of urgency Advise the State Governor to respect the rule of Law and stop conferment of Obaship on Abdullateef Olagoke whom court has restrained from parading himself as Baale of Lanlate .
“It will be recalled that the Oyo State High Court sitting in Eruwa Judicial division delivered a judgement by Hon. Justice B. A Taiwo on 5th Oct, 2018. According to the judgement, the rightful owner of the stool of Lanlate is Olusegun Bolawaye Oladejo of the Oguntayi ruling house of Lanlate and the government should restore him all the rights, privileges, and entitlement attached to the office. We are law-abiding town don’t turn our town to a theatre of war.”
