UNDETERRED by the abolition of the Seriki line by the recent Oyo State gazette on the Olubadan chieftaincy, head of Seriki line, Chief Bayo Oyediji has said he remains firm in his belief that the courts will judge accordingly in his four cases of illegalities instituted against the Olubadan of Ibadan land and Oyo State governor.
Oyediji addressing journalists at the weekend decried that his consent judgement obtained in 1989 which recognized Seriki as being eligible to promotion in both Balogun and Olubadan lines continued to be frustrated with non-enforcement.
Aside from his call for enforcement of the consent judgement, Oyediji said he challenged the installation of Oba Saliu Adetunji as Olubadan of Ibadan land, in suit I/560/16, while also asking the court in suit I/699/17, to restrain Governor Abiola AJimobi from implementing the reports of the Chieftaincy Panel Review.
Oyediji who said the Seriki line was an institution that cannot just be erased, said he would continue to fight what he called an injustice in the courts until God gives judgment in his own time.
He bemoaned that his several cases over time had suffered over 60 adjournments, praying that the justice system delivers judgement.
“We have been on the case of Seriki vs Olubadan for over 40 years. Injustice is calling injustice, injustice. Pronouncements are not obeyed. This case has gone up to Supreme Court yet opponents are out to frustrate the judgement.”
“We instituted a suit against them to implement what has been ruled. Since 2007, the ruling stated that they should not install anyone. Seriki made them know that there should not be any installation.”
“Seriki did not accept Oba Samuel Lana as Olubadan. Akinloye should have been the one from Seriki line to be installed Olubadan, yet Oba Lana was installed.”
“On the day of installation of Oba Saliu Adetunji, I said what they were doing was illegal because the matter is in court. I challenged Olubadan that it was not his turn to become Olubadan, the court case has not been disposed.”
“God gives judgement at any time he wishes. We have four cases in court. We sued Olubadan and Ajimobi. There is a 2007 judgement that states that Seriki should be identified as an Olubadan line. We want the implementation of the consent judgement.”
“We got an injunction that there should be no installation from Ekerin Olubadan and Ekerin Balogun upwards but this is not respected. They rejected the court orders because they think they are above the court.”
“The case has been adjourned for about 60 times. They are doing injustice. Both Ajimobi and Olubadan are doing illegalities. How can Governor Ajimobi cancel Seriki line? The court will decide. He has no power to do it. Seriki is an institution that cannot just be erased,” Oyediji said.