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Mabudeje Family Wins Agbowa-Ikosi Kingship Appeal
The Court of Appeal in Lagos has overturned a previous judgment of the Lagos State High Court and upheld the right of the Mabudeje Royal Family to nominate a candidate for the vacant stool of the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi.
In a judgment delivered on May 30, 2025, the appellate court ruled that the lower court erred in law and failed to properly assess the evidence presented in the long-standing dispute over the traditional leadership of the Agbowa-Ikosi community in Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA of Lagos State.
In Appeal No: CA/LAG/CV/1104/2023, the panel of justices, led by Justice Ngozika Okaisabor, held that the Mabudeje Royal Family, represented by Prince Babatunde Adenusi and others, had established their entitlement to the kingship based on credible and consistent evidence.
The court found that the High Court was wrong to have recognised the nomination and selection of Prince (Barr.) Owolabi Saheed Momson, who was joined as the 8th defendant in the suit, as the rightful Oba.
Justice Okaisabor, in the lead judgment, noted that a key piece of evidence presented by the claimants, a 2007 meeting of the Oba-in-Council admitted as Exhibit P9, revealed that the Aduloju family had clearly disassociated themselves from the Mabudeje lineage. Quoting from the minutes of the meeting, the court stated: “The 6th Respondent in the said Exhibit P9 denied being member of Mabudeje family and further stated that there is no one in their family who bears such a name.”
The appellate court found this disavowal significant, especially since the lower court had based its findings on a nomination process facilitated by the Aduloju family, which, by their own account, was not part of the Mabudeje ruling house.
Justice Okaisabor concluded that the evidence of the claimants was more coherent and reliable than that of the respondents.
The court also found that the proper legal process for involving the rightful royal family in the nomination had not been followed. Specifically, it determined that no valid communication was made by the authorities to the Mabudeje family inviting them to put forward a nominee.
“The said evidence of Appellants’ PW1… is that the 4th respondent did not write to them but wrote to the Adulojus as Mabudeje family, whereas Adulojus is not Mabudeje family,” the judgment noted.
Based on these findings, the Court of Appeal granted all the principal reliefs sought by the claimants. It issued a declaration affirming the right of the Mabudeje Royal Family to fill the vacant kingship stool and ordered the relevant government and chieftaincy authorities to invite the family to submit a nominee for installation.
“A DECLARATION that the claimants are entitled to the immediate right to fill the vacant stool of the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi in the Ejinrin/Eredo Local Government Development Area of Lagos State.
“AN ORDER compelling the 1st – 5th Defendants to call for the claimants’ nominee for the vacant stool of the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi and install the nominee as the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi.”
The judgment was supported by Justices Mohammed Mustapha and Paul Ahmed Bassi, who concurred with the lead decision.
At the hearing of the appeal held on April 7, 2025, the appellants were represented by a legal team led by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, along with S.O.K. Shillings and Fawaz Odusote. Afees A. Abdullahi, counsel for the 2nd and 3rd respondents, was also in attendance, though none of the respondents filed briefs of argument. The court proceeded to determine the matter solely on the basis of the appellants’ submission.
Guardian.ng
The Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Oyo, Professor Sunday Okeniyi, has enjoined the newly employed staff of the institution to develop the spirit of teamwork, respect, and discipline, which are the hallmarks of every successful institution.
Okeniyi disclosed this during the orientation programme for the newly employed staff of the institution.
While welcoming the newly employed staff, he also congratulated them on their successful appointment into the fast-rising institution. “Your joining us today is not by chance, but by merit, commitment, and the will of God. Atiba University is a citadel of learning and character formation, envisioned to nurture and produce men and women of excellence, integrity, and service. By becoming part of this family, you are now co-builders of this noble vision.”
The V-C said the orientation programme was a deliberate initiative of the management to formally integrate the new staff into the University system. “It is designed to give you a clear understanding of our mission, vision, core values, rules, and operational culture. Our goal is not just for you to work here, but for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and leave an indelible mark on the growth and transformation of this University.”
He explained that the university places a premium on academic excellence, innovative research, moral uprightness, and community development. These values define the identity and are the standards the staff must all uphold in their respective assignments—whether as academic staff shaping young minds or as non-teaching staff providing essential support services that make our work possible.
While admitting much needed to be done, Okeniyi said the institution has recorded remarkable progress within a short time. “The future we envision—a future of global competitiveness, leadership in innovation and knowledge, and impact within and beyond Nigeria—requires the collective commitment of every member of staff. That includes you. Your dedication, creativity, and professionalism are needed to propel us forward,” he said.
News
This Is War, Kill Every Single One Of Them – Fani-Kayode Blows Hot Over Zamfara Mosque Massacre
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the gruesome murder of five worshippers during an early morning prayer in Yandoto village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
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Speaking via his 𝕏 account, he insisted that the killers should be wiped out, adding that there should be no room for discussions or negotiations.
Fani-Kayode asserted that the killers are terrorists not bandits and described their actions as an act of war.
He wrote: “These are not bandits. Pls stop calling them bandits. They are bloodthirsty killers and terrorists and every single one of them should be wiped off the face of the earth.
“If our people cannot worship God in peace then we have nothing. No negotiation, no discussion, no ransom payments, no rehabilitation.
“This is WAR. Kill every single one of them, wipe out their blood line and decimate their communities and abodes. There is no place on earth for those that slaughter innocent civilians.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to address the escalating banditry crisis in the state.
Naija News reports that a deadly attack occurred on Sunday in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left several residents and vigilante members dead.
Speaking via a statement on Monday, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described the massacre as “a despicable and senseless act.”
He blamed the governor for the insecurity situation in the state, noting that it is a monumental leadership failure.
Adewara said, “The gruesome videos of the casualties circulating online make it look like Kwara is now at war. Under AbdulRahman’s watch, terror is reigning, kidnappers are taking over rural villages, and nowhere is safe again.”
The opposition party faulted AbdulRazaq’s alleged silence and absence from the affected community, insisting that a responsible leader should have personally visited Oke-Ode to commiserate with victims’ families and give assurances of decisive action.
It further accused the governor of neglecting local vigilantes and security personnel “battling criminals in the bush,” while diverting funds to “footballers and entertainers outside the state.”
The PDP’s criticism comes amid rising concern in Kwara North, where repeated bandit attacks have forced residents to abandon farms, schools, and businesses.
News
Nigeria @65: Atiku Knocks Tinubu’s Government In Strongly-Worded Independence Day Message; Details Emerge
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has praised Nigerians for what he described as “uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions”
In his Independence Day message to Nigerians, the opposition leader alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration had abandoned Nigerians to their fate
Atiku lamented that Nigerians were enduring pains from “raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness all “compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration
In an Independence Day message released by his media office, obtained by Legit.ng, Atiku lamented that Nigerians are enduring excruciating pains from raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness.
The presidential hopeful accused the Tinubu administration of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
Atiku declared: “It is tragic that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”
Furthermore, Atiku called on citizens not to lose faith, reminding Nigerians that the 2027 election provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.
He said: “The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”
At 65, Atiku noted, Nigeria remains “a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay”.
The 78-year-old blamed Nigeria’s condition on “a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.”
He bemoaned: “Yet, he urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations.”
PRESS RELEASE
Nigeria @65: @atiku Hails Nigerians’ Courage, Blasts APC Over Economic Strangulation
Former Vice President of Nigeria and Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, has paid tribute to the uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience of Nigerians who, despite living under… pic.twitter.com/cPnI9KzxrJ
— Paul Ibe (@omonlakiki) September 30, 2025
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