CHIEF FESTUS AKINRINWA EBUKUYO OBA GBADEBO BAJOWA (THE REBUJA OF OSOORO) V. CHIEF FESTUS ADEFIOYE OBOLO OGUNJUNI EGBAYELO OLADUNJOYE LAPOPO CHIEF TAIWO OGUNIBE (F OR THEMSELV ES AND ON BEHALF OF KUGBANRE DESCENDANTS OF OSOORO)

BULKACHUWA JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): Therespondents as plaintiffs before the Okitipupa High Court, Ondo State per a writ of summons dated 13/12/2000 claimed the following reliefs against the appellants as defendants.

1.A declaration that High Chief Petu is the traditional head of all members of Akoko family of Osooro in Okitipupa Local Government and that the next to him is the Yasero.

2.A declaration that no Oloja (Oba) ever reigned in Iju-Oke land which is an Akoko settlement in Okitipupa Local Government.

3.A declaration that the 1st defendant is not entitled to be appointed or selected and installed as Oloja of Iju-Oke in Okitipupa Local Government of Ondo State.

4.A declaration that if and when there is a need to appoint an Oloja for Iju-Oke all the descendants of Kugbanre who are the inhabitants of Iju-Oke shall decide the procedure for choosing and installing the Oloja.

5. A declaration that the 2nd defendant is not entitled to impose, appoint, select or install the 1s…