Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu (74), who recently refused shaking hands with the Ooni of Ife, may not be a legal Oba. Akiolu who has been Oba of Lagos for the past 14 years appeared in court this week over a case filed by Princes Adedoyin Adebiyi and Rasheed Modile, challenging his ascendancy to the throne. They claim that Akiolu is not from any royal family and therefore not qualified to be an Oba.
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While responding to the suit, Akiolu said that he is the bona fide paramount ruler of Lagos. He further told Justice A. Candide-Johnson of the Ikeja High Court that he applied to become an Oba and his application was granted by the kingmakers. In his own words:
“After I made my intention known to my family that I wanted to be Oba of Lagos, I applied for the throne. In May 2003, the head of the kingmakers and the then Sole Administrator of Lagos Island Council called at my residence. At that time I was preparing to go to the mosque and I was told that I received a letter from the state government and the State Executive Council.
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“The letter accepted my nomination that I have been approved to be a worthy successor of the late Oba of Lagos. It will be exactly 14 years tomorrow (May 23) that my appointment was approved. By the grace of Almighty Allah, there is nothing like rotation in the succession to the throne of Oba of Lagos,”
Responding to Fashanu’s question whether proper customary procedure was followed when he became King, Akiolu said he was installed according to the customs of Lagos as Oba by kingmakers.
“I am here to justify my appointment, you cannot build something on nothing, it will be broken. By native law and customs and by law, I am the bona fide Oba of Lagos.” He said.
Justice Candide-Johnson adjourned the case till June 19, 2017.