Obaro Stool: Court Dismisses Ilajo Family’s Claims Against Obaro Owoniyi

Kogi State High Court of Justice sitting in Lokoja, on
Wednesday, dismissed in its entirety the suit instituted by the
Ilajo Ruling family of Kabba against the appointment of HRM Oba
Solomon Dele Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba.

Justice S O Otu who presided over the suit also upheld the
preliminary objection raised by the defendants, Obaro Solomon
Owoniyi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Kogi State Attorney-General
against the claimants, Chief Henry Aiyewumi, Chief Stephen Bebeyi
and others on behalf of Ilajo family.

The claimants had upon the appointment of Obaro Owoniyi as the
Obaro of Kabba by Kogi State Government in 2018 approached the
court that it was unlawful for the government to have appointed
Owoniyi who is from Odolu, saying only the Ilajo Ruling Family of
Kabba could ascend the Obaro stool despite the existing edicts of
1989 and 1995 which spelt out expressly the rotational order of
ascendancy to the throne when vacant.

The presiding judge ruled that the suit was premature by dint of
the failure of the claimants to exhaust the domestic remedy
prescribed under Section 6(1) and (2) of the Kogi State Chiefs
(Appointment, Deposition and Establishment of Traditional Council)
Law, 2006.

Justice Otu also said that the claimants are bound by the
unchallenged reports of the Judicial Commissions of Inquiry on the
Obaro of Kabba Chieftaincy and the attendant report of Edict No 6
of 1989 as well as extant Edict No 12 of 1995 declaring the native
law and customs on ascendancy to Obaro of Kabba Chieftaincy has
become law that could not be held in abeyance. He averred that the
Ilajos ought to have challenged the law as of the time of signing
it into law but they slept over it.

According to him, the Ilajo family did not complain on the
wrongful act in 1995, they took no step when the law became
operational.

”Not having challenged the alien custom and tradition introduced
by Law No 12 of 1995 about 24 years ago meant they slept over their
right,” he said.

The Judge noted that law No 12 of 1995 became the only existing
law and declaration of tradition and custom relating to the
selection of an Obaro of Kabba.

Against this background, the judge said the reliefs sought in
the suit are statute- barred by virtue of Section 2(a) of the
Public Officers’ Protection Law of Kwara State (as applicable to
Kogi State) and Section 18 of the Limitation Law of Kwara State (as
applicable to Kogi State), having filed the suit two months after
cause of action arose.

“The claimants may have a cause but their right to challenge
that law cannot be maintained in this court. It is statue-barred by
virtue not only of S 2(e) of public officers (protection)law but
also by virtue of S 18 of the limitation Law of Kogi State.

The erudite judge also noted that Chief Aiyewumi lacks the locus
standi to institute the suit when he was not selected nor his name
forwarded to the selectors/kingmakers for the Obaro Stool for
selection as Obaro, either pursuant to Edict No 12 of 1995 or
whatever native law and customs.

He, therefore, pointed out that the suit disclosed no cause of
action against the defendants and is fatally vitiated by the
failure of the claimants to join the selectors/kingmakers, Obadofin
and Obajemu, who selected the 1st defendant as the Obaro in the
suit.

“With the above findings and holding, it is of no mount
considering the other grounds of objection, on the whole, the
preliminary objection is upheld and I hereby dismiss the claimants’
suit in its entirety,” Justice Otu ruled.

Reacting to the judgment, a stakeholder in Kabba, Chief Hassan
Taye Ejibunu said that the learned Judge has done justice to the
case.

According to him, the judge supported his judgment with cases
delivered by the highest Court in the land, the Supreme Court.

He commended the Judge’s brilliant disposition and his
painstaking research and congratulated all Owes.

President Buhari Appoints New Aides for the First Lady
of Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of the
following aides to the First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
1) Dr. Mairo Almakura – Special Assistant on African First Ladies
Peace Mission (AFLPM)
2) Muhammed Albishir – Special Assistant on Organization of African
First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD)
3) Wole Aboderin – Special Assistant on Non-Governmental
Organizations
4) Barr. Aiyu Abdullahi – Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity
5) Zainab Kazeem – Special Assistant on Domestic and Social
Events
6) Funke Adesiyan – Personal Assistant on Domestic and Social
Events
The appointments take immediate effect.

Suleiman Haruna
Director of Information
to First Lady of Nigeria
State House
Abuja

Regional Secretariat of AFLPM will soon be a reality

First Lady of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Buhari has expressed her
resolve to construct a regional secretariat for the African First
Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM). The Mission, which was established
after the Beijing Conference of 1995, has been in the custody of
Nigeria, with leadership rotating among African First Ladies.

She was speaking during a solidarity visit by First Ladies from
the states at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, 16th October,
2019.

“I have successfully secured 2.7 hectares of land in Abuja for
this purpose and the foundation laying will soon be conducted in
the presence of African First Ladies” said Mrs. Buhari.

Speaking on the advocacy project for the improvement of maternal
and child health, which is supported by Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation and implemented by Future Assured Programme in
partnership with the states First Ladies, Mrs. Buhari said it will
come to an end in December 2019.

She used the opportunity to commend the first ladies for the
good work they have been doing in their various states, and the
successful collaboration they did with Future Assured, calling on
the new First Ladies to do the same. She called on them not to
succumb to distractions by social media.

Commenting on the videos circulating on social networks, Mrs.
Buhari extended her apology to her children, her immediate family
members and all well-meaning Nigerians over the embarrassment that
the videos had caused.

She expressed appreciation to the President for approving a new
set of aides to assist her in carrying out her various
responsibilities.

Earlier, First Lady of Borno state, Mrs. Falmata Umara Zulum
representing Northern First Ladies Forum and Mrs. Betsy Obaseki,
representing Southern First Ladies Forum spoke during the
occasion.

Mrs. Zulum said they were at the Villa to welcome her back after
a long absence, and expressed their unalloyed loyalty and support
to her initiatives especially through the Future Assured Programme,
which she said has made her a role model even to other African
women.

Mrs. Obaseki on her part said they received news of the First
Lady’s return with great excitement, praying God to continue to
protect her. She used the opportunity to thank the President for
approving additional special assistants for her, saying this is an
indication of the regard he has for her work.

The event was attended by wife of the Vice President, Mrs.
Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Maryam Ahmed
Lawan and wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mrs.
Salamatu Gbajabiamila, as well as wives of Governors and wives of
Legislators.

Suleiman Haruna
Director of Information
to First Lady of Nigeria
State House
Abuja