A suit filed by the descendants of Aboke family of Ibadan in which they are praying that they should be included in the lineage of Olubadan of Ibadan, has now been adjourned to November 15, 2012 for hearing.

Justice M.F. Oladeinde adjourned the suit on Wednesday after granting an application for leave to change counsel, brought by the claimants.

The claimants had sought the leave of court to change their former counsel, Mrs O. Yusuff and engage the services of Mr J.O. Rufai.

The claimants in the suit are Yisau Okunola Olaogun, Reverend Paul Ifamapowa, Madam Jenrade Gbopa and Madam Layonu Ola (for themselves and descendants of Lagelu Aboke family).

Listed as defendants are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oyo State; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matter, Oyo State; and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Lana Odugade II.

The plaintiffs’ claims against the defendants are:
•A declaration that the descendants and offsprings of Aboke should be incorporated into the royal lineages succeeding to the paramount position of Olubadan.
•A declaration that it is wrong for the defendants refusing to consider the Aboke family’s right of succession to the position of Olubadan of Ibadan whenever there is a vacancy.
•An order compelling the defendants to incorporate the descendants and offsprings of Aboke family for succession to the paramount position of Olubadan and to the lineage of Olubadan of Ibadan.

The plaintiffs in their statement of claim averred that Ibadan came into existence when Lagelu, who was the Jagun (commander-in-chief) of Ife, left Ile-Ife with a handful of his people to found his own city, Eba Odan, in the 16th century.

They further averred that Lagelu was the first Baale of Ibadan and that after the demise of Lagelu, three members of his family namely; Rudoso, Akasi Adesola and Akintayo Awanibaku Elenpe Beere Aboke became the Baale of Ibadan respectively.

According to the plaintiffs, the last time their family became the Baale was during the time of Akintayo Awanibaku Elenpe Beere, Aboke in 1910 – 1912.

It was further that each time the annual Okebadan feast and rituals were to be performed, the ruling class always paid the price covering the rituals to the Aboke family.

Stating that the crown of Olubadan was still in their custody till date, the plaintiffs averred that since 1912, Aboke family had been sidetracked from the royal lineage.

They said that in 1936, the Badeship of Ibadan was changed to the title of Olubadan, in order to befit the ruler of the great city of Ibadan.

The plaintiffs averred that they had taken several steps, so that the family members would be among the lineages succeeding to the paramount position of Olubadan of Ibadan but all proved abortive.