Funke Busari, Lagos
The stool of Oniru of Iru Land in Lagos is being marred by some crises as amplified by the Omowunmi Abisogun Ruling House.
The family is not only challenging the ascension of Oba Wasiu Gbolahan to the throne, it is also alleging some fraudulent activities against the monarch.
Speaking through the family head, Omowunmi Abisogun Family Ruling House, Alhaji Surajudeen Durosimi, Oniru Of Iruland the family is calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, to investigate the financial dealings of the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Wasiu Gbolahan with respect to the Oniru property.
Top among their demands is a call on the State Govenment to immediately withdraw the Staff of Office which they claimed was fraudulently given to him.
The ruling house at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday sought the intervention of EFCC and ICPC to investigate the new Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Gbolahan Lawal, following a Public Notice published and dated 19th October, 2020 purportedly authored by BA Law Firm on the revocation of the power of Attorney.
According to the petition by Yomi Haroun and Co. chamber, members of the public were urged to discountenance and disregard the Public Notice.
Additionally, the ruling house said it is seeking cancellation of the illegal manipulation and fraudulent selection process that led to the imposition of Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan as the Oniru of Iruland and a declaration of Omowunmi Abisogun Ruling House as the authentic and legitimate heir to the throne of Oniru of Iruland.
“We wish to alert the public about the fraudulent move by the imposed and illegal Oniru of Iruland, Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan who recently signed a public notice dated 19th October, 2020 through faceless organisations known as BA Law firm. It is another move to appropriate illegally the properties that belong to the Oniru families.
“Historically and traditionally, the principal members of the Oniru family are the custodian of the heritage and properties through the management committee comprising of all Three Ruling Houses to coordinate the affairs of the Family. Chieftaincy Family Property Company Limited derives its legitimacy from the power of Attorney unaninimously donated on the 3rd June, 1993 and registered as No. 73 at page in Volume 1942 at the Lands Registry, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State.
In one breath, the Abisogun Ruling House also reiterated an earlier demand made to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
In the words of the ruling house, “The action of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the illegal presentation of certificate and instrument of office to Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal, constitute a violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the extant laws of Lagos State on the appointment of Oniru of Iruland.
“That the illegal appointment of Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal is subjudice as the case on the Oniru throne is in the court of competent jurisdiction.
“That Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal has neither paternal nor maternal relationship with Oniru family. Both his father and mother’s roots are not from Oniru, but Ojora family.
“We hereby affirm that the imposition of Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal is a desecration of tradition and culture of Oniru of Iruland with potential future danger.
“We reiterate that imposition of Wasiu Gbolahan cannot stand and shall be challenged by all legitimate means in accordance with constitution and the Rule of Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Omowunmi Abisogun next in line family hereby resolves to reject the purported appointment of Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal as the new Oniru of Iruland
“Reaffirm its confidence in the Rule of Law and the competent court of jurisdiction to adjudicate and rule on the court case of Oniru throne before the court.
“Reiterate to resist and challenge legitimately the wanton looting and confiscation of Oniru properties
“We hereby make clarion calls on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Rt. Hon. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to reverse the illegal imposition of Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal.
Speaking on behalf of the Oniru of Iruland, Chief Matthew Akinwunmi, the Eletu of Iruland debunked the allegations.
“It has been publicised that Gbolahan Lawal and others signed a public notice revoking the Power of Attorney.
“Their claims are nothing but falsehood, there has never been a time the family had sat to arrive at that decision,” he said.
Below is the unedited petiton by the Omowunmi Abisogun Oniru Chieftaincy Family of Lagos
Omowunmi Abisogun Oniru Chieftaincy Family of Lagos
4th November, 2020
CORRUPTION AND IMPOSITION: ‘EFCC MUST INVESTIGATE MR. WASIU OMOGBOLAHAN LAWAL
Being the text of the press conference addressed by the Omowunmi Abisogun Family on the Crisis of Oniru of Iru Land
Gentlemen and ladies of the press
We humbly wish to alert the public about the fraudulent move by the imposed and illegal Oniru of Iruland, Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan who recently signed a public notice dated 19th October, 2020 through faceless organisations known as BA Law firm. It is another move to appropriate illegally the properties that belong to the Oniru families. Historically and traditionally, the principal members of the Oniru family are the custodian of the heritage and properties through the management committee comprising of all Three Ruling Houses to coordinate the affairs of the Family. Chieftaincy Family Property Company limited derives its legitimacy from the power of Attorney unanonimously donated on the 3rd June, 1993 and registered as No. 73 at page in Volume 1942 at the Lands Registry, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The claim by BA Law firm to be a solicitor to Mr. Omogbolahan Wasiu Lawal whose legitimacy as Oniru is questionable and a subject of litigation at the Lagos High Court cannot be a basis for usurping the constitutional rights of the management committee of the Three Ruling Houses as expressed in the Oniru Chieftalncy Family Property Company Limited.
It is on record that no Kabiyesl of Oniru of Iruland can single-handedly take decisions that affect the Three Ruling Houses. The essence is to create checks and balances and to avoid impunity, abuse of power and subversion of due process. The stool of Obaship is separate and distinct from the head of Oniru Chieftaincy Family. The collective decision of the Three Ruling Houses is exercise within the jurisdiction of the head and principal members of the family in conjunction with the legitimate king as the Custodian of the culture.
The public should discountenance and disregard the Public Notice purportedly authored by BA Law Firm on the revocation of the power of Attorney and by this letter calling on the anti-corruption agencies (EFCC and ICPC) to start immediate investigation of the financial dealings of Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan with respect to Oniru property immediately.
Our cardinal demands remain the same as sent in our last petition to his Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu. We hereby reiterate our positions as follows:
1. The action of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the illegal presentation of certificate and instrument of office to Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal, constitute a violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the extant laws of Lagos State on the appointment of Oniru of Iruland.
2. That the illegal appointment of Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal is subjudice as the case on the Oniru throne is in the court of competent jurisdiction.
3. That Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal has has neither paternal nor maternal relationship with Oniru family. Both his father and mother’s roots are not from Oniru, but Ojora family.
4. We hereby affirm that the imposition of Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal is a desecration of tradition and culture of Oniru of Iruland with potential future danger.
5. We reiterate that imposition of Wasiu Gbolahan cannot stand and shall be challenged by all legitimate means in accordance with constitution and the Rule of Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
6. Omowunmi Abisogun next in line family hereby resolves to:
1. Reject the purported appointment of Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal as the new Oniru of Iruland
2. Reaffirm its confidence in the Rule of Law and the competent court of jurisdiction to adjudicate and rule on the court case of Oniru throne before the court.
3. Reiterate to resist and challenge legitimately the wanton looting and confiscation of Oniru properties
4. We hereby make clarion calls on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Rt. Hon. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to reverse the illegal imposition of Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal
Our prayers includes;
1. Immediate investigation of the Financial Dealings of Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan with respect to Oniru’s property.
2. Cancellation of the Illegal manipulation and fraudulent selection process that led to the Imposition of Mr. Wasiu Gbolahan as the Oniru of Iruland.
3. Declaration of Omowunmi Abisogun Ruling House as the authentic and legitimate their to the throne of Oniru of Iruland.
Until justice is not only done but seen to have been done, we shall continue to fight to the last drop of our blood.
Thank you.
Alhaji Surajudeen Durosimi, Head,Omowunmi Abisogun Family, Ruling House, Oniru of Iruland
