The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has affirmed the Mabudeje Royal Family’s right to produce the next Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi, overturning a previous decision by a Lagos High Court that had validated the nomination of Prince Owolabi Saheed Momson as the traditional ruler.
In a unanimous judgment, the appellate court found that the trial court erred in its evaluation of evidence, setting aside Prince Momson’s nomination. Justice Ngozika Okaisabor ruled that the claimants, led by Prince Babatunde Adenusi, are genuine members of the Mabudeje ruling family and are entitled to nominate a candidate for the vacant stool.
The Court of Appeal criticized the lower court for relying on a nomination process initiated by the Aduloju family, which had explicitly denied any connection to the Mabudeje lineage. Evidence presented showed that the Aduloju family is not part of the Mabudeje family, and the appropriate authorities failed to properly invite the Mabudeje family to participate in the nomination process.
The court ordered that the claimants be invited immediately to nominate and install a candidate for the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi stool, directing the relevant defendants to facilitate this process.
This ruling resolves a long-standing dispute over the rightful succession to the Agbowa-Ikosi throne, which has been vacant since the death of the previous Oba Joseph Bolaji Odumeru in 2012. The decision marks a significant development in the chieftaincy tussle that has affected the community for over a decade.
