An Ikeja High Court on Thursday fixed January 19, 2026, to hear a suit challenging the appointment of Kunle Fafunwa as Oba Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Mobaland.

The claimants in the suit are Abdul-Ganiyu Onikoyi, Akinola Fafunwa, Abdul-Waliu Sulaimon, Hassan Elegushi, and Musiliu Onikoyi.

Others are Wosilat Quadri, Adeola Davies, Babatunde Onikoyi, Babatunde Shadeko and Ashraf Esinlokun.

The claimants brought the action for themselves and on behalf of the Onikoyi Chieftaincy Family.

The suit is marked LD/13765GCMW/2025.

Joined as defendants are the Attorney-General of Lagos State, the Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government, the Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Eti-Osa Local Government, and Prince Kunle Fafunwa.

On Thursday, the claimants were represented by Jimoh Lasisi (SAN) and former Lagos Attorney-General Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), while the fourth defendant was represented by Wale Adesokan (SAN).

Meanwhile, there was no legal representation for the first to third respondents.

Justice Olalekan Oresanya adjourned the case until January 19, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications.

In the suit filed by claimant counsel, Ademola Ekundayo, the family is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against the defendants.

They avered that the purported selection, approval and installation of Mr Fafunwa as the Oba of Ikoyi and Mobaland was illegal, null and void.

According to them, the process leading to Mr Fafunwa’s appointment violated the provisions of the Onikoyi Chieftaincy Declaration of 2006 and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State, which regulates succession to the stool.

The claimants are consequently, asking the court to set aside the purported selection of the fourth defendant as Oba.

They want an order restraining him from parading himself or acting in any capacity as the Oba Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Mobaland.

The family also seek an order directing the Lagos State government and the relevant authorities, to confirm and install the third claimant (Sulaimon) as the legitimate Oba Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Mobaland.

They further depose that the family never consented to the selection of the fourth defendant, neither was there any valid family meeting or notices issued as required by law.

The claimants had earlier filed an ex parte application, seeking judicial review in suit No. LD/9134GCM/2025.

They are seeking an order of mandamus, compelling the state government to recognise and install the third claimant as the rightful Oba Onikoyi of Ikoyi and Mobaland.

A large number of community members trooped into the court’s premises on Thursday to witness the suit.
(NAN)