The Opesha Royal family and the entire Mowo Community in Badagry, Lagos State, have dragged the state government to court for appointing an Dagbeyon Abidemi Kolawole Padonu, an ‘outsider’ as Baale of Mowo community.
They said Dagbeyon Abidemi (aka Kolawole Samuel Talabi) is ‘a non native’, and therefore lacking basic qualification for being selected.
The Opesha family through their Lawyer, Chief Orisalade Adetunji Taiwo, has consequently asked the Court through Suit No: BD/4748/GCMW/2018, before the High Court of Lagos, to declare the appointment of Mr. Dagbeyon (6th defendant) as Baale of Mowo, as “null, void and lacking genuine historical basis.”
The family noted it’s opposition to the letter from the office of the Governor of Lagos State dated 9th January, 2018 affirming Dagbeyon’s choice, declaring Dagbeyon as Baale was illegal, unlawful and ultra-vires on the basis of his ‘non-membership of the Opesha Ruling House.’
Opesha through the Summons also asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Mr. Dagbeyon Abidemi Kolawole Padonu (aka Kolawole Samuel Talabi) from acting or parading himself or holding himself out as Baale of Mowo.
Dagbeyon Abidemi Kolawole Padonu The family via the processes also refuted claims by Dagbeyon Abidemi of belonging by birth to or being part of the Opesha Royal family.
Hon. Justice H.A.O ABIRU of the Lagos High Court had ruled in favour of the Opesha family in an earlier Suit between MOSES OJO & ORS. V. JOSHUA OKU AJIBAWO & ORS in Suit No: ID/1052/97 filed by them through their counsel, Orisalade, declaring the family should produce the next Baale of the community, upon the demise of Chief James Soyingbe who died in 1992.
The family explained the earlier suit had succeeded without an input or participation by Mr. Dagbeyon Abidemi Kolawole Padonu aka Kolawole Samuel Talabi (6th Defendant in the present suit), who had been seeking to benefit from the Judgment.
The Opesha Royal family, consequent upon Justice Abiru’s judgment, promptly set in motion the process of selecting their candidate and by Public Notice in accordance with the Provisions of Section 17 of Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State 1981, presented their candidate for the stool of Baale of Mowo before the then Executive Secretary of the 4th Defendant (Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Lagos State).
According to the letter, it was in the process of installing their selected candidate, Mr. Francis Okula Daniel, that he (Okula) died and the Opesha family promptly met on the 21st June, 2008, settling for another candidate in the person of Mr. Peter Idowu Ajayi (the 2nd Claimant in the Suit), while his name was submitted to the Council of Kingmakers via a letter dated 1st day of October, 2008 which promptly sent same to Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Lagos State.
The letter reads in part: “The name of the 2nd Claimant Mr. Peter Idowu Ajayi was also forwarded to the Commissioner for Local Government & Community Affairs (the 3rd Defendant) via a letter from the 4th Defendant and was signed by the then Executive Secretary to the 3rd Defendant.
“However, it was in the process of approving the Baaleship of the 2nd Claimant that the 5th defendant, HRH OBA ADEWALE (Onibereko of Ibereko) illegally and unlawfully installed Mr Padonu who is not a member of the Opesha Royal family.
“It is no news that the 5th defendant, HRH OBA ADEWALE (Onibereko of Ibereko) nor its Predecessors-in-Office have ever been the Consenting Authority in respect of Baaleship Stool in Mowo. The actions of the 5th Defendant has now caused great pain and havoc on the People of Mowo.”
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