COURT NULLIFIES APPOINTMENT OF PRINCE BAYO IGINLA AS OLU OF IJU ISHAGA OVER CONTEMPT OF COURT
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has nullified the appointment and installation of Prince Bayo Iginla as the Olu of Iju Ishaga, citing a flagrant disobedience of an existing court order.
In a decisive ruling delivered by Justice (Dr.) L.A.M. Folami of the General Civil Division, the court granted all four reliefs sought by the claimants Chief Adams Akande Balogun (head of the Arayomi Aiyeteru Ruling Family), Mr. Bashiru Alamu Balogun, and Mr. Rasheed Adewole Balogun who instituted the suit on behalf of their ruling house.
The court’s decision was based on a Motion on Notice dated December 31, 2024, challenging the Lagos State Executive Council’s approval and the subsequent installation of Prince Iginla as Olu of Iju Ishaga during the pendency of the suit.
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Despite a restraining court order made on December 18, 2024, directing all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, the installation ceremony proceeded a move the judge described as “total disobedience” and a contempt of court.
Justice Folami held that the 1st Defendant, Chief Isaac Kolawole Akinbami of the Akinbami Ruling House, “stole a match” on the claimants during active litigation, an act the court found legally unacceptable.
Citing legal precedents such as Statoil (Nig.) Ltd v. Star Deep Waters Petroleum Ltd and NDIC v. Savannah Bank, the judge emphasized that mandatory injunctions are justified where parties flagrantly violate judicial orders.
Consequently, the court:
1. Set aside the approval by the Lagos State Executive Council endorsing Prince Iginla’s appointment and installation.
2. Nullified the installation ceremony conducted in defiance of the court’s directive.
3. Restrained Prince Iginla from parading himself as the Olu of Iju Ishaga.
4. Barred the Lagos State Government, Attorney-General, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and officials of the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government from recognizing or granting emoluments to Iginla.
The court also directed the defendants to file an affidavit of compliance within 14 days ahead of the next adjourned date.
Legal representation for the claimants was led by Tokunbo Olaniyi and Chuks Dike, while A.S. Oyewale-Freeman appeared for the defendants.
The ruling marks a major turning point in the protracted legal battle over the Iju Ishaga traditional stool and reinforces the judiciary’s warning against contemptuous conduct in chieftaincy matters.
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