Kunle Adelabu
The countdown to the delivery of judgement on the protracted Alajede stool began on Thursday, February 8, 2024, as Honourable Justice Lawal Akapo finally adopted the final written addresses by parties to the matter after several postponements.
The matter started 11 years ago after the Alajede – in – Council picked the former Council Chairman, Hon. Saheed Adefarasin Hassan as the Oba – elect from about 10 contestants that showed interest to succeed late Oba Fatai Oresanya, the last Alajede of Ijede.
The matter challenging the Alajede selection process was instituted in the Suit No. IKD/82/2013, with Pa (Chief) Olayiwola Saka Owoyele, Prince Kazeem Amusa and Prince Babatunde Sulaimon Amusa as plaintiff/claimants, suing Hon. Saheed Hassan, Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Chief Alliu Musediku Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Governor of Lagos State, on behalf of themselves and the Idowu Ajanaku Royal family of Ijede.
However, after a long wait, Justice Akapo finally adopted the written addresses by the parties to the case, which are the final judicial process before the judgment is delivered.
According to the law, the presiding judge now have 90 days to deliver judgment on the Obaship case which has held down the entire ancient Ijede community.
Meanwhile, at the court sitting on Thursday, Barr. Lookman Opawoye, the counsel to the Defendant, Hon. Saheed Hassan, led others in the adoption of his final written address. He addressed the court raising some issues and ended his submission, praying the court to adopt his written address.
Thereafter, the state government counsel, Barr. Rafiu Abdullahi, also enjoined the court to adopt all that he has written in his written address to the court.
In the same vein, the Claimant counsel, Barr. Bosunro canvased position in support of his client, Prince Kazeem Amusa, and asked the court adopt his written address.
As a matter of process, the Defendant’s counsel, Opawoye, again responded to the Claimant counsel’s written address.
The trial’s judge, after adopting the parties’ written addresses, announced to them that his judgment will be delivered within the next 90 days as required by the law.
“The judgment is, hereby, reserved”, he announced.
Speaking with Prince Kazeem Amusa and the General Secretary of Idowu Ajanaku Royal Family, Prince Tajudeen Yunusa, they both said that the countdown has begun, and that the entire Ijede residents should be expecting an end to the 11 years long matter.
