A Lagos State High Court has directed all parties involved in the legal dispute over the Oloja of Lagos chieftaincy stool to maintain the existing situation pending the determination of the substantive case.
Justice Olalekan Oresanya issued the order after dismissing a preliminary objection filed by Prince Babajide Kosoko, who had challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter. The objection was supported by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who is the first defendant in the suit.
The case was instituted by the Head of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, Prince Surajudeen Olojo-Kosoko; the ruling house’s General Secretary, Prince Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko; and Prince Abiola Kosoko, acting for themselves and the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House.
Other defendants include the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, the Executive Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, Prince Babajide Kosoko, Mr. Muritala Kosoko, and Mr. Tunji Kosoko.
The claimants, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olusegun Fabunmi, are contesting what they described as attempts to replace Prince Abiola Kosoko, whom they maintain was duly nominated by the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House as its candidate for the Oloja of Lagos stool.
During proceedings, counsel to Prince Babajide Kosoko, Dayo Oshodi (SAN), argued that the dispute centered on the nomination, selection, and installation of a traditional ruler, matters governed by customary law and the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law. He urged the court to decline jurisdiction and dismiss the suit.
However, the claimants maintained that the nomination process had already been completed in 2020 with the emergence of Prince Abiola Kosoko as the ruling house’s officially nominated candidate.
They further alleged that following a disagreement over land, some of the defendants disregarded the earlier nomination and initiated steps to process the candidacy of other princes for the revered stool.
In his ruling, Justice Oresanya held that the claimants had established a valid cause of action deserving judicial consideration.
The judge explained that the issues raised in the preliminary objection could not be determined without evaluating evidence, making them unsuitable for resolution at the interlocutory stage.
He ruled that such issues should instead be addressed during the substantive hearing of the case.
“I find no merit in the preliminary objection filed by the fifth defendant. The objection is overruled, and the application is accordingly dismissed,” Justice Oresanya declared.
The court also considered the claimants’ application seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from recommending, nominating, appointing, selecting, or installing any other individual as the Oloja of Lagos pending the conclusion of the suit.
Justice Oresanya declined to grant the injunction, noting that doing so would effectively determine issues that are central to the substantive case and could prejudice the defendants before the trial begins.
Instead, the court ordered all parties to preserve the status quo as it existed before the events that allegedly led to the nomination of the fifth and sixth defendants.
The court further affirmed that Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko would remain recognized as the Oloja-elect pending the final determination of the suit.
To ensure the matter is resolved without unnecessary delay, Justice Oresanya directed that the case be given accelerated hearing.
The substantive suit has been adjourned until October 6, 2026, for hearing
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