In defiance of ongoing court proceedings, the Lagos State Government has formally enthroned Abdul-Lateef Olumegbon as the Oba of Ajah and Okun-Ajah Kingdom on Tuesday 22nd January 2024 at the newly constructed palace of the Olumegbon in Ajah.
The inconspicuous event overseen by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Mr Bolaji Kayode Robert presented the staff of office to the contentious monarch whose court case was convened last week at the Lagos High Court, Ajah, respectively.
Earlier on Monday, a reliable source informed Lagos Panorama of the intending installation, to confirm the development, after unsuccessful calls to the Commissioner, Mr Robert, a message sent to his WhatsApp reads: ‘We have been informed that a new Traditional ruler for the Ajah community will be installed tomorrow, originating from the Olumegbon family of Lagos Island, despite the fact that court proceedings are still ongoing on the matter, I require your reaction to this’, but he did not respond.
Recall Lagos Panorama’s report last week that a Lagos State High Court in Ajah last week Tuesday imposed a fine of N500,000 on the Olumegbon family for delaying proceedings in a suit concerning the traditional rulership of the Ajah community.
The parties involved in the suit are the Olumegbon family of Lagos Island and the Indigenous people comprising the 52 families of the Ajah community.
In the course of the court proceedings, Mr. Alaba Okukpe, who claimed to have been a counsel to the Olumegbon family for 35 years, announced his withdrawal from the case, citing unresolved issues.
Mr Alaba Okukpe, Counsel to the Olumegbon Family, said that he has been serving as the family’s legal representative for the past 35 years.
He asserted that the family owed him a total of N170 million in unpaid legal fees for his services in court.
“I have been representing them for over 35 years and the issue of fees has been the bone of contention.
“I told them I could not continue this case, I don’t even mind other counsel taking over of the case, but whoever the court accepts to take over from me must be ready to abide by the ethics of the profession.
However, the new counsel to the Olumegbon family, Mr. Qudus Mumumi, said that he must return to the family and resolve the issue of representation before the next adjournment date.
On his part, counsel to the Ajah community residents, Mr Richard Ahonaruogho, (SAN), urged the court to impose a fine of N1.5 million on the Olumegbon family for stalling the trial in the suit.
Ahonaruogho accused the Olumegbon family of using delay tactics to deny his clients justice, “We have been in this case for a while and we supposed to have passed the trial stage but the Olumegbon are just using the changes of counsel to delay this case.
“I want the honourable court to fine my opponent N1.5 million for delaying the case to go further,” he said
Justice Olubukola Aigbokhaevbo, while giving her verdict placed a fine of N500,000 to Olumegbon family which ought to be paid before the next adjournment.
“I have to be neutral here, and I don’t have the capacity to determine counsel to handle any case,” she said.
I hereby fine the Olumegbon family N500,000, which must be paid before the next adjournment to prevent further delay.
“And I encourage the lawyers and family members to hold meetings and make progress on the representation,” she said.
The Judge consequently, adjourned the case until March 17th for the Olumegbon family to resolve issues with their Counsels while trial to commence on the 25th.
