The Awe Division of the Oyo High Court has adjourned for hearing a fresh suit filed by Oyo kingmakers (Oyomesi) against Governor Seyi Makinde and two others on the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo until December 14.

The attorney general and the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters were joined in the suit as co-defendants.

The claimants in the suit (HOY/41/2023) are Yusuf Ayoola (Basorun of Oyo), Wakeel Oyedepo (Lagunna), Amuda Yusuf (Akinniku), Waheed Oyetunji (Aare Ago Basorun) and Gbadebo Mufutau (Baale Alapo).

In the suit filed on their behalf by their lead counsel, Kazeem Sobaloju, the kingmakers, after the withdrawal and subsequent striking out of a similar case by the court, had approached the court on Thursday with a fresh suit.

Mr Sobaloju reminded the court that he had two pending applications filed on November 1 on the subject matter before the court. He said the counter-affidavit to the notice of preliminary objection and the interim injunction were served on him at short notice.

Mr Sobaloju asked the court to maintain the status quo despite the notice of the preliminary objection filed by the defence counsel. Mr Sobaloju said he had filed a counter affidavit to the notice of the preliminary objection.

However, the defence counsel, L.A. Abiola, who doubles as the director of the Department of Civil Litigation and Advisory Council in the Oyo justice ministry, assured the court of his preparedness to move the application for his notice of preliminary objection.

Mr Abiola said they were not, in any way, running away from the legal battle.

All the claimants were present in court.

The presiding judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola, said following the agreement between both counsels, the matter was adjourned until December 14 for a hearing of the preliminary objection filed by the defence counsel.

(NAN)