ALHAJI SHIFAWU ODE NURAINI SANUSI AKA RAUFU ADEKUNLE (FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR AND ON BEHALF OF OKE BRANCH OF SALAWU FAMILY) V. PA A. K. BALOGUN PROF. AJIBADE ROKOSU ALH. R. A. SALAWE ALH. MONSURU ALESHINLOYE (FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THREE RULING HOUSES NAMELY: OKOYA, AGBAJE AND ROKOSU OF SALAWA CHIEFTAINCY FAMILY) LAGOS ISLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR LAGOS STATE

ADEREMI, JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): It is necessary to go into the historical background of this case in order to have a full understanding of the entire case. The Salawa Chieftaincy family made up of the appellants and the first set of respondents made an application to the Lagos State A Government requesting it to make a Chieftaincy Declaration that would regulate succession to the Salawa Chieftaincy Stool, a recognised chieftaincy title under Part III of the Oba and Chiefs of Lagos State Law, 1981. Necessary steps were taken towards the accomplishment of the request. A Chieftaincy Declaration Draft was thus approved and registered by the government which made provision for four (4) Ruling Houses viz: (1) Rokosu Ruling House, Okoya Salawe Ruling House, (3) Agbaje Salawe Ruling House and (4) Oke Salawe Ruling House . The government following a spate of claims and counter-claims from rival claimants to the Salawe Chieftaincy Stool referred the matter to the Judicial…