MUSTAFA OLADOKUN V. THE MILITARY GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE & ORS

OGUNDARE, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The main issue calling for determination in this appeal relates to the interpretation of the chieftaincy declaration of the Onjo of Okeho Chieftaincy, registered on 12th February 1958. Following a vacancy in the office of the Onjo, steps were taken to fill the vacancy. The Secretary to the Kajola Local Government called on the Etielu Ruling House whose turn it was to present a candidate to do so. By the terms of the Chieftaincy Declaration, the meeting of the Ruling House had to be summoned by the Mogaji Ijo. There was at the time a dispute as to the validity of the appointment of Labode Akano as the Mogaji Ijo in consequence of which the Secretary of the Kajola Local Government summoned a meeting of the Etielu Ruling House to consider the nomination of candidates for presentation to the kingmakers. The Ruling House held a meeting on the 22nd of August 1985 at which four candidates were proposed. A vote was taken. The Plaintiff who w…