By Blessing Teniola
Justice M. O. Adegbola of an Ibadan High Court sitting at Court 4 Ring-road has ordered the service of the court process through substituted means be served on some of the defendants in the case instituted by former Governor of Oyo state, Chief Rasheed Ladoja against Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, and the 11 newly coronated Obas.
The claimant lawyer, Barrister M. O. Folorunso, had told the court when case came up for hearing that all attempt to serve the defendants in their respective home addresses failed as they were not available to receive the court service.
On hearing that, the trial judge ordered that the substituted service be employed through pasting the originating process in the palace of Olubadan of Ibadan land at Alarere area, Ibadan.
Justice Adegbola further ordered the return of the case file back to the Chief Justice for reassignment declaring that: “I am close to the parties in the case.
“My closeness to the claimant; second and fourth defendants would impugn on my credibility and that of the judiciary.
He added: “the best in the circumstance is to step down in handing of the matter.”
He stated specifically that the court should be aware of his closeness to the claimant, Senator Rasidi Ladoja, 2nd and 4th defendants. And in the interest of justice, “I have no option than to ask another judge to adjudicate on the matter,”he added.
Ladoja, who is the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, dragged the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Governor Seyi Makinde and 11 others to court over coronation of elevated Ibadan high chiefs.
In the suit, the Olubadan of Ibadanland is listed as the first respondent with Gov Seyi Makinde as second respondent, respectively.
Others listed in the suit included the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice and the 10 newly elected and crowned Obas in Ibadanland.
Ladoja in the suit filed by his counsel, Barr M.O Folorunso of Al – Hammawy Chamer before an Oyo High Court accused the Olubadan of plotting to prevent him from ascending the throne when it is his time.
In the suit, the Otun Olubadan alleged that the plan is that, if he “refused to be crowned, he would be denied of his status as Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and that he would not be permitted to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land when it is his turn. “