Prince Ismaila Olamilekan Owoade has sued Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and 19 others over his alleged exclusion from the Alaafin of Oyo selection process.
He claims due process was not followed in appointing Prince Abimbola Owoade and seeks to have the appointment nullified.
Filed at the Oyo State High Court, the suit also names the Attorney General, Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, kingmakers, and other traditional chiefs as defendants.
The claimant argues that Baba Iyaji, who plays a key role in the selection, was sidelined.
Owoade is asking the court to restrain Princes Abimbola Owoade and Lukman Gbadegesin from parading as Alaafin and to mandate a fresh selection process in line with the 1961 Chieftaincy Declaration and the Oyo Chiefs Law.
Justice Jimoh Adesina has scheduled the hearing for March 11, 2025.
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Meanwhile, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin has also filed a separate suit challenging the current Alaafin’s legitimacy.
The claimant is therefore praying to the court for an order restraining the 5th defendant, Prince Gbadegesin, Prince Abimbola Owoade which excluded Baba lyaji under paragraph 5(a)&(b) of the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 who must present the candidate to the Kingmakers who in his opinion is best qualified to be appointed, together with the names of the other candidates to the Kingmakers under the Leadership of Basorun of Oyo did not comply with the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 and the Chiefs Law of Oyo State 2000.
“An order of interlocutory injunction, restraining Prince Akeem Owoade from being presented as Alaafin of Oyo by the 1st defendant, Oyo State Governor and all constituted authority on the 4th day of April 2025 on the basis of the fact that his appointment by the 1st defendant, his privies and agents did not follow due process which excluded the 12th defendant, Baba lyaji under paragraph 5(a)&(b) of the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 who must present the candidate who in his opinion is best qualified to be appointed, together with the names of the other candidates to the Kingmakers under the Leadership of Basorun of Oyo did not comply with the Chiefs Laws of Oyo State 2000 and Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.
“An order of the court directing/mandating the 1st, 2nd, 3rd defendants and the Kingmakers (Oyo Mesi) to complete the process started by the Baba lyaji under paragraph 5(a)&(b) of the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961 appointing the claimant, PRINCE Ismaila Olamilekan Owoade as the Alaafin of Oyo which complied with the Chiefs Law of Oyo State 2000 and Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.”
