20th May, 2011
Counsel to the Baale-elect of Ijagemo community in Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, Barrister M. Ahmed Ashimi, has stated that the appointment of High Chief Adio Saminu Lamidi Jinadu, the baale-elect of Ijagemo community was not done in disobedience to a court order.
Ashimi said the community had appointed the baale before Chief Abdul Hakeem Babatunde Balogun, who is laying claim to the throne went to court to stop the installation and urged the court to restrain the baale from carrying out the baale functions.
He, however, stated that the court only ordered both parties in the crisis to maintain status quo, meaning that the appointed baale should be left to carry out his lawful duties.
According to Ashimi, “the council of chiefs approved the appointment of High Chief Adio Sammmu Lamidi Ajakaye on 1 April, 2011 and the ceremony took place on 5 April 2011, while the claimant went to court on 18 April, 2011.
“The baale was appointed before he went to court and one of his prayer was that the court should restrain the baale from acting on that capacity.
“On 21 April, 2011, before Justice Olatunde Hakeem Oshodi at the Lagos High Court, Badagry Division, his application was rejected on the ground that parties in the matter should be put on notice. The court ordered that pending the outcome of the matter, the status quo should be maintained.â€
Ashimi admitted that his client, the appointed baale, has been notified but that he can act in the position of baale because he had been appointed before the claimant went to court.
— Paul Sanusi