Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan
A State High Court in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State has directed that processes in a suit challenging the removal of Chief Lukman Ilufemiloye as the bale of Olode in Oluyole Local Government by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and replacing him with Mr. Dauda Odeyemi be served through substituted means on the principal respondent.
Making the ruling, Justice Olalekan Owolabi specifically ordered that the court processes be pasted on the door of Mr. Odeyemi in his Ejo village, a distance of about 10km from Olode, and his family house at Kobomode in Mapo local government Area, Ibadan.
Justice Owolabi however adjourned the case to March 7th for further hearing.
Odeyemi is the fourth defendant in the suit, Oba Adetunji, Olubadan-in–council and Oluyole Local government are the first, second and third defendants respectively.
Shortly after the court sitting, Mr. Sanni Oyedele, counsel to the deposed bale Ilufemiloye said that the implications of pasting the processes as ordered by the court was to let the fourth defendant have the knowledge of the court proceedings, and that if he refuses to appear in court again, an order would be taken behind him, without any accusation of lack of fair hearing.
According to him, “We are not bothered about the Olubadan, Olubadan -in-council or even Oluyole local government but we are bothered about the new baale who they said has been installed. The implication of pasting the processes on his door is for him to have the knowledge about the court proceedings, and if he still refuse to come to court afterwards, then we will take order behind him and there won’t be any question of lack of fair hearing”.
It will be recalled that the Olubadan had on January 9, 2017 removed Chief Lukman Ilufemiloye Alao as the baale of Olode in Oluyole LGA and immediately replaced him with Odeyemi in a circumstance that baffles many.
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