The Egiri Ruling House in Gbagura Kingdom, Abeokuta, Ogun State has dragged the Agura of Gbaguraland, Oba Saburee Babajide Bakre, and the kingmakers before an Abeokuta High Court, seeking the removal of the monarch from office.
The ruling house, in a suit marked, AB/292/2019, is challenging the election and appointment of Oba Bakre as the ninth Agura of Gbagura, alleging that the election and subsequent installation of the monarch did not follow due process and breached the provisions of section 16 of the Chiefs Law, Laws of Ogun State 2006.
Bakre was appointed the ninth Agura of Gbagura during the tenure of the immediate past administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
But the Egiri ruling house, in a matter brought before the court against Oba Bakre and the kingmakers, alleged that the installation and coronation of the monarch violated the provisions of section 16 of the Chiefs Law, Laws of Ogun state 2006.
Joined in the suit are the Chairman and Secretary to the Abeokuta North Local government, Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Attorney General of the state and the governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun.
The suit was filed (for and on behalf of members of Egiri Ruling house) by Prince Akindele Sharafadeen Ogunwoolu, Prince Saburi Ayinde Adeyemi, Prince Sufian Soetan, Prince Salihu Adetunji Nadir, Prince Kabiru Abolade and Prince Wasiu Adeyinka Adeosun.
The claimants, in an amended writ of summons, claimed that the monarch “is not a descendant of any lineage of Egiri Ruling House, lacks the prerequisite locus standi to vie for Agura of Gbagura stool and his selection/election, presentation and/or appointment and installation as Agura of Gbagura null and void.
“That the regency council, by virtue of their statutory duties, has no official role in the process of nomination, selection and/or election, presentation, appointment and installation AF any qualified candidate as Agura of Gbagura”.
The ruling house, therefore, prayed the court to set aside the selection, election, presentation, appointment and installation of Oba Bakre as the Agura of Gbagura.
Other prayers of the claimants include “An order of perpetual injunction restraining all defendants from similar acts or inaction that are in flagrant violation of the Agura of Gbagura registered chieftaincy declaration of 1958 and Ogun State chiefs law of 2006 in the process of nomination, selection and/or election, presentation, appointment and installation of Agura.
An order directing the Chairman and Secretary to the Abeokuta North local government in conjunction with the kingmakers and Egiri Ruling House “to commence afresh the nomination selection, election, presentation of Agura of Gbagura in accordance with Agura of Gbagura chieftaincy registered declaration of 1958 and chiefs law, law of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006 forthwith.”
The claimants is also demanding N10 million as damages for “the psychological trauma and pains” suffered by them.
However, the presiding judge, Justice B.O.O Bamgbose, adjourned the case till Wednesday, April 28 for hearing.
