By joshua 
A former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Michael Lana has risen an objection to the claim that the next in line to the Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun is next Olubadan.
Oba Saliu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan passed on early Monday at the age of 93.
Balogun is believed to be the next step.
However, in a letter written to Governor Seyi Makinde dated January 3, 2022, Lana said that the former Governor Abiola Ajimobi never thought of the legal implications of installing Baales as Obas in Ibadanland.
Lana wrote, “Kindly note, Your Excellency, that your predecessor in office, without thinking of the legal effects of his actions on the future of Ibadan traditional institution, conferred the title of Obaship on some high chiefs and Baales and gave them the right to wear beaded crowns and coronets in 2017.
“This action was challenged in suit No. M317/ 2017-high chief Rashid Ladoja V the governor of Oyo state.”
Lana reminded Makinde that the conferment was nullified by Aiki J, a high court judge, for being in contravention of both the chiefs law and the Ibadan chieftaincy customary law.
He stated further, “However, the court of appeal in Appeal No.CA/111/99/ 2018 set aside the said Judgment of Aiki J on technical grounds without touching on the merit of the case and sent the case back for retrial.”
“Upon Your Excellency’s assumption of office, it was resolved that the matter be settled amicably and the same was settled through the instrumentality of a Terms of Settlement which became the judgment of the court.
“The said Terms of Settlement recognised the illegality of the said actions and therefore set aside the gazettes by which the said chiefs became Obas with a right to wear beaded crowns and coronets.
“These high chiefs and Baales were dissatisfied with this consent judgment and therefore instituted two separate suits to set aside the consent judgment while at the same time clinging to the title of Obas (which is in contempt of court).
“One of these cases is Suit No: Suit No. I/ 22/ 2020-HRM Oba (senator) Lekan Balogun & Ors.