Awujale Stool: Court Dismisses Case Against FCMB Founder, Subomi Balogun

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Otunba Subomi Balogun
Otunba Subomi Balogun
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Awujale Stool: Court Dismisses Case Against FCMB Founder, Subomi Balogun

Justice Aderonke Adesuga of an Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu Ode, Thursday, dismissed a suit challenging the founder of First City Monument Bank, Subomi Balogun, as the head of one of the four ruling houses in Ijebuland.

Otunba Subomi Balogun
Founder of First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun

Balogun, who was the first defendant in the case was appointed as the head of Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu Ode on 13th April, 2013.

The ruling house is the next in line to produce the next Awujale of Ijebuland after Oba Sikiru Adetona who ascended the throne in 1960.

The appointment of the FCMB founder didn’t go down well with some leaders of the family and the decision led to the suit.

The suit was filed by the former National President, Institute of the Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Abdul – Lateef Owoyemi, Prince Rasaq Akeju, Prince Yisau Ajidagba, Prince Adeleke Adeyemi and one other on behalf of themselves and Fusengbuwa Ruling House against Balogun.

Otunba Abdul – Lateef Owoyemi and other claimants claimed that he (Owoyemi) is the right and legitimate person to occupy the position of the Olori – Ebi of Fusengbuwa Ruling House and prayed the court to declare him as such.

They approached the court to challenge Otunba Balogun who is also a member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House over the alleged manner he emerged as the Head (Olori – Ebi) of the family after the death of the last Olori – Ebi, Prince Adebisi Adeyemi.

They prayed the court to restrain Subomi Balogun from parading himself as the Olori – Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

Asenuga, resolved two of the five issues formulated for determination in favour of the claimant while the remaining three issues were resolved in favour of the defendant.

On the first issue, the judge held that though the claimants (Owoyemi and others) have right to approach the court for a justiciable matter but, dismissed the suit on grounds that they are not qualified for claims sought by reasons of the evidence before the court.

On the appointment of Olori-Ebi, the judge said Awujale has given evidence on who is qualified to be appointed as Olori-Ebi, adding that Awujale is the only authority to determine who is qualified to hold the position.

According to her, the oral evidence given by those who should know the custom and tradition of Ijebuland indicated that the first claimant does not have a connection with the  Fusengbuwa royal family.

The judge, therefore, held that “the evidence by the Awujale is accepted by the court.The first claimant is not qualified to be Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa ruling house. The court, therefore, resolved the issue in favour of the defendants. The matter is hereby dismissed”.

The court also awarded hundred thousand naira cost against the claimants.

Reacting, Otunba Owoyemi said he has left the matter in the hand of God.

He said the family would study the judgement and take appropriate step afterwards.

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