One of the four kingmakers in Isolo, Chief Rasak Onikosi, (Osuro), has told a Lagos High Court sitting at Sabo Yaba and presided over by Justice Ezekiel Oluwole Ashade that he, alongside another kingmaker, Chief Mukaila Adesegun Abgabiaka (Jagun Aluko), voted for Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Yekini-Goloba.
Chief Onikosi while testifying virtually but under oath told the court that the kingmakers conveyed a meeting on September 4, 2024, with the view of selecting a new Osolo of Isolo after the demise of Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka.
Chief Onikosi who testified in Yoruba (language) told the court that there were four statutory kingmakers that were responsible for the selection of the Osolo of Isolo stool in Lagos State.
He listed their names as Chief Mukaila Adesegun Abgabiaka (Jagun Aluko), Chief Rahman Musendiku (Afobaje Ogodo), Chief Rasak Onikosi (Osuro), and Chief Jamiu Saka Omotoba (Omotoba).
He told the court that 15 names of rinces were sent to the kingmakers for them to deliberate on and to select the most suitable for the vacant throne of Osolo of Isolo.
‘’At the first stage of the screening which also involved Ifa Divination, five of the 15 princes were rejected by Ifa, then another three before Afobaje Ogodo proposed voting for the remaining seven, stressing that legislation does not recognise Ifa Divination. It was at this stage that the kingmakers decided to vote to pick the next Osolo.
‘’I voted for Jimmy Goloba alongside Chief Mukaila Adesegun Agbabiaka (Jagun Aluko). Chief Rahman Musendiku (Afobaje Ogodo), voted for Prince Saheed Aregbe while Chief Jamiu Saka (Omotoba) cast his ballot for the first defendant in the suit, Prince Shekoni-Faronbi. The selection was concluded on September 4th, and no further meetings were proposed nor conducted,” he said.
Chief Onikosi said that the result of the voting was sent to the Oshodi/Isolo Chieftaincy committee for ratification and onward forwarding of the name of the selected prince to the Lagos State government.
However, Barrister Adeola Onikosi, counsel to the seventh defendant, while cross examining the witness asked why the result of the selection process was sent to Oshodi/Isolo Local Government instead of Isolo Local Development Area, LCDA.
Chief Onikosi said he could not remember why but admitted that the late Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka was crowned at Isolo, and that facilitation and approval were sought at and by Oshodi/ Isolo Local Government before being passed on to Isolo LCDA for crowning.
Chief Mojeed Adam, the acting head of the Alagbeji Ruling House, who is also the Balogun of Isolo, who had earlier testified in the case, was cross-examined by the counsel to the first defendant, Prince Shekoni-Faronbi, Mr Gbenga Ojo.
Chief Adam told the court that he was elected the Balogun of Isolo in June 2005 and that his salary and imprest were being paid by Isolo LCDA.
Justice Ashade later adjourned the matter to April 24 for the continuation of trial.
Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Yekini-Goloba had sued Prince Shekoni-Faronbi, the Lagos State government and several others.
In the suit No: LD/13362GCM/2025, Yekini-Goloba is seeking a court declaration affirming him as the rightful successor to the throne based on the rotational arrangement among the three ruling houses in Isolo and the decision of the Alagbeji Ruling House, which he claims is next in line to produce the monarch and that he was the choice of Isolo Kingmakers.
The defendants include Prince Shekoni-Faronbi, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Chieftaincy Committee of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, and the Executive Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government as well as the Isolo LCDA which later joined the suit.
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