NEWS
Petitions Flood Courts, LASG Against Nomination Of Saliu as Oba in Two Different Kingdoms
By David Torough, Abuja
Series of petitions, legal correspondences and court filings have flooded the courts and the Lagos State Government (LASG) intensifying the chieftaincy crisis in Ise and Imedu communities of Lagos State, with multiple objections challenging both the process and personalities linked to the disputed traditional stools.
Central to all these petitions is a man known in some petitions as Adebowale Saliu and in some as Mr Ibrahim Sangodeyi Saliu who was purportedly nominated as the Oba Onise of Ise Kingdom after the death of their king, Late Oba Adegbesan.
Before then, Saliu was said to have been “parading himself as the Oba of Imedu Kingdom.”This raises the integrity question about his dual personality and why one man with different names would be nominated as Oba in two different Kingdoms.
One of the petitions, dated January 20, 2026, written by J.J.H. Joshua & Co. on behalf of elders and members of the community, which raises questions about the indigeneship of Adebowale Saliu reads in part, “The said application for the creation of the stool-Obaship of Imedu kingdom would have been a positive developmental opportunity for Imedu community had it been formally deliberated upon by the entire Imedu community and all parameters accepted and agreed upon by the community at large.
“Honorable Commissioner Sir that is the case. The Public Notice completely took our clients by surprise, but with the understanding that a certain individual by name Mr. Kemi Saliu had preferred his adopted-non biological son to pose himself as Oba of Imedu who hitherto has paraded himself as such.
”To the activities of Adebowale Saliu already imposing himself as Oba of Imedu Kingdom, using both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Police as protecting shields illegally went about terrorizing the entire community as Oba in 2025, while he is not. We wrote to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, your good self and the Hon. Attorney-General of Lagos State. We are yet to receive any response from your office on the matter.
“Hon Commissioner, this Adebowale Saliu is not an indigene of Imedu and did not reside anywhere near Imedu community or participate in any communal activity in Imedu. He was an adopted child of kemi Saliu who married his mother while obviously pregnant with him. Both of his parents therefore are not indigenous to imedu. He is now being sought to be made Oba over and above all the indigenous sons and daughters and the community at large. What kind of precedent can that be?”
The same petition further alleges longstanding disputes over land and authority within the community, stating, “For about a decade now, various community land portions have been stolen and individually sold by either Alhaji Moyinu Balogun or Kemi Saliu without accounting or fair distributions to the community elders and members when they are neither Baale nor Oloriebi of the community.”
It continues, “There are numerous cases in various courts of the land and police establishments. Two are still ongoing at their instances.” If all these are taking place already since 2016, when Adebowale Saliu is not Oba in any material particular but acting as impostor already, it can only be imagined if any rightful land owner of their respective family portions would have any access, say, share or privilege to enter into or have any right in their community property.
“Hon. Commissioner Sir, the motive behind this desperate individual pursuit of the Obaship of Imedu kingdom at this juncture, is purely geared at obtaining sole ownership and command of community land as is already happening.
“Presently as the impostor that he is, Adebowale had terrorized the whole community intimidating and harassing them, using the army and the police with the proceeds of the illegal theft and private sale of community land. Our client’s fear is that worse than has already happened is likely to follow if that imposition is formalized to the chagrin of all community members, young and old and the yet unborn.”
The petition also links the push for Obaship as a control over communal land, stating, “The motive behind this desperate individual pursuit of the Obaship of Imedu kingdom at this juncture, is purely geared at obtaining sole ownership and command of community land as is already happening.”
On jurisdiction, the petition states, “Imedu community is not under Ibeju Lekki LGC. Imedu is under Epe LGC and falls within Lekki LCDA.”
It further alleges a security-related incident, stating: “In June 2025 Adebowale in a convoy of both police and military using OP MESA gun truck swooped down to disrupt communal celebration, beating, wounding and scattering the Iliya Muslim festival celebration and stole the cow meant for the celebration, taking it to an unknown destination.”
The petition concludes with a strong objection, “How do you consider such a devious character tainted with everything evil to be a king over people that cannot be his subjects by blood?”
Parallel to this, a separate petition dated April 1, 2026, by Sola Ojutalayo (SAN) & Co., acting for the Adegoroye Royal Family, challenges the selection of Mr. Ibrahim Sangodeyi Saliu as the Onise of Ise.
The petition stated that, “Our Clients contend that the aforesaid selection by the kingmakers is illegal, null and void, as it flagrantly violates the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law, Cap 138, Laws of Lagos State, 1994, and the Declaration made under Section 6(2) regulating the selection to the stool of Onise of Ise.”
It further stated that, “This mandatory process was completely disregarded. No Ruling House was invited, no nomination process occurred, and no election was conducted.”
On the method adopted, the petition adds, “The reliance on the Ifa Oracle as the basis of selection is not recognized under the Obas and Chiefs Law or the applicable Chieftaincy Declaration, and the recourse to Ifa Oracle cannot substitute the legally prescribed procedure.”
A similar petition from Bello Abdulmumuni LP dated 1st April, 2026 on behalf of Prince Alhaji R Ogunbajo Adegoroye, Prince Adefowope Adenupebi Adegoroye and Prince Adebola Nureni Shittu Adegoroye who are the head and principal members of Adegoroye Royal Family challenges the “purported selection of one Mr. Ibrahim Sangodeyi Saliu as the Oba Onise of Ise Elect – who also has been parading himself as the Oba Onimedu of Imedu Kingdom.”
The petitioners contend that, “The Declaration only came to their knowledge after the demise of Late Oba Adegbesan which raises serious issues of procedural illegality, denial of fair hearing and lack of consultation with the primary stakeholders.”
They therefore call on the LASG to “Nullify the purported selection of Mr. Ibrahim Sangodeyi Saliu. Declare that the Declaration made under Section 6 (2) of Obas and Chiefs Law Cap 138, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 1994 Regulating Selection to the Stool of Onise of Ise in Epe Local Government Area; Approved on the 16th day of August, 1999 and Registered on the 18th day of August, 1999 is inapplicable to the Oba Onise of Ise Stool. Set aside the wrongful recognition of multiple ruling houses arising from a single lineage (Okuoye, Shebitan, Olukoko). Recognise that the Okuoye, Shebitan and Olukoko families constitute one lineage with no royal entitlement to the Onise of Ise stool. Affirm the Adegoroye Royal Family as the sole legitimate ruling house to the Oba Onise of Ise Stool. Order a proper inquiry into the historical and customary structure of Ise Kingdom.”
Meanwhile, court documents before the High Court of Lagos State, Epe Judicial Division (Suit No: EPD/14703GCMW/2026), show that members of the Oloja Olumade Royal Family had earlier filed objections through letters dated December 1 and 24, 2025, and January 5, 2026.
According to the filings, the objections were aimed at halting what was described as, “Clandestine or unauthorised activities aimed at installing or recognising the 7th Defendant or any member of the 6th and 7th Defendants’ family as Oba of Imedu Land pending the conclusion of inquiry into the proposed creation of Oba of Imedu Chieftaincy Stool.”
The suit also seeks to restrain authorities from acting on resolutions of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Chieftaincy Committee meetings held on September 24 and November 26, 2024, and adopted on December 17, 2024.
In an administrative response dated April 16, 2026, the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Council advised that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Lekki Local Council Development Area.
The letter stated that, “The subject stool of the Onise of Ise Land falls within the territorial jurisdiction of the Lekki Local Council Development Area.”
It further added, “You are advised to address and channel all further correspondence and submissions regarding this matter to the Executive Chairman, Lekki Local Council Development Area, being the appropriate authority”
Across the various documents reviewed, a consistent pattern shows multiple petitions from different communities, repeated objections across dates, and ongoing legal proceedings challenging both process and legitimacy of the purported nomination of Saliu as Oba of Ise and Imedu Kingdoms.
As of the time of filing this report, no official decision has been announced by the Lagos State Government, while aspects of the dispute remain before the court.
Ghana says it will evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa following a recent wave of protests against foreign nationals.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said in a post on X on Tuesday that the Ghanaian president had granted approval for their “immediate evacuation”.
He said the “distressed” Ghanaians had registered at the country’s embassy in Pretoria to be rescued in response to an advisory by the foreign ministry “Following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks”.
Last week, South African authorities denied that anyone had been attacked, saying the widely circulated videos were fake.
On Monday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the recent “protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals” did not reflect government policy, describing them as “isolated acts of criminality”.
He added that South Africa would “regulate migration, secure our borders and enforce our laws”.
Thousands of South Africans joined protests against illegal immigration, demanding the mass deportation of undocumented foreign nationals. Protesters say illegal immigration has had an impact on jobs, housing and crime.
On Tuesday, the Ghanaian embassy in South Africa advised nationals to be highly cautious and prioritise their safety by avoiding public gatherings and shut their shops or businesses in the port city of Durban ahead of a protest planned on Wednesday.
Ghana and Nigeria have recently summoned the South African envoys to their respective countries over the mistreatment and harassment of their citizens.
Ghana has also written to the African Union (AU) asking it to discuss the issue, saying it posed a “serious risk to the safety and wellbeing” of Africans in South Africa.
South Africa responded by saying it had “nothing to hide”. The government has condemned the circulation of what it called “fake videos and images” described by some as recordings of attacks on foreign nationals.
Other countries that have warned their citizens in South Africa include Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
According to official figures, South Africa is home to more than three million foreigners, or about 5% of the population, but there are believed to be many more without papers.
Xenophobia has long been an issue in the country and has been accompanied by occasional outbursts of deadly attacks.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the Federal Government’s Digital Switchover (DSO) project is ready for commissioning on June 17.
Idris disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen after assessing DSO facilities put in place by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd.
(NIGCOMSAT) in partnership with National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).The DSO project, managed by the NBC, is Nigeria’s nationwide transition from analog to digital terrestrial television broadcasting.
The project aims to improve broadcast quality, boost the digital economy, and free up spectrum for broadband.
The minister described the completion of the DSO project as an indication that President Bola Tinubu had fulfilled his promise in carrying out reforms across the sectors, especially the broadcast industry.
“I think this is a new dawn for our country. The promise that President Bola Tinubu made that he is going to reform all sectors and we are seeing this reform in action in the broadcast industry.
“You recall that for many years, Nigerians have been grappling with this idea of the digital switchover. In other words, moving our transmissions from the analogue to the digital.
“Now this has happened and is ready to be inaugurated by June 17, this year,” he said.
According to him, while going around the facilities, many of the channels have already been unbundled here.
“This is going to bring a lot of advantages to all the broadcasters, the viewers, and everybody that advertises.
“Now science is at play. I mean, if you are now viewing any particular station, you know who is viewing what, how many people are viewing.”
The minister said that the standard measurement that was absent in the previous experiments was now being made available.
According to him, this will help advertisers to make informed decisions about what programming is it that people are watching, and what is it that Nigerians want to watch across all the demographics.
“So, it’s easy for you to now say, I want to put an advert on this channel or I want to put it on this channel. Who are you targeting?”
The minister lauded the collaboration between NIGCOMSAT, NBC and the Ministries of Communication and Information and National Orientation for making the initiative happen.
He also thanked President Tinubu for providing all the resources required to deliver the project to Nigerians.
“It’s been such a shame in the past that Nigeria has not been able to achieve this. But now the digital switchover is here.
“Everybody now can watch whatever he wants to watch in real time and painlessly. Free TV everywhere for everybody.
“This will enable viewers, advertisers, and everybody to now take informed decisions about what he views on any particular channel.
“I think this is a great thing that is happening. And we know that by the time that we return here on June 17, when this is going to be officially unveiled to Nigerians, Nigerians will really be very happy about it.”
The Managing Director/ CEO of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Egerton-Idehen, attributed the success of the DSO project to the strong collaboration among relevant agencies and support given to NIGCOMSAT by the President.
The Director-General of the NBC, Charles Ebuebu, said the commission had considered emerging technologies while designing digital terrestrial television broadcasting.
“The younger population like things on their mobile devices. That’s why we have put this there.
“We have also gone by way of satellites. So, rather than restricting content to just eight cities. We are all over Nigeria and beyond,” the NBC D-G said.
According to him, NBC is updating the list of channels. We are going to have 100 channels by the day of launch. And even more because more content producers are talking to us.
“We are also bringing up content. We have six regional studios around the country.
“You don’t have to travel to Lagos or Abuja or Kano to develop your content. You just go to the nearest regional studio and develop,” he said.
Fresh data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has shown that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals exported an estimated 1.66 billion litres of refined petroleum products in April 2026.
This came amid mounting tensions in the Middle East and fears of possible disruption to global fuel supply routes following the growing conflict involving the United States and Iran.
An analysis of the NMDPRA’s April 2026 fact sheet showed that the country exported about 513 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol; 534 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel; and 615 million litres of aviation fuel within the month under review.
The Dangote refinery is the only major functional refinery in Nigeria that currently produces enough refined petroleum products for both local consumption and export.
This is the first month the refinery has exported such a high volume of petroleum products, especially jet fuel and diesel, indicating the significance of the 650,000-barrel-per-day plant in Lekki, Lagos State.
The combined export volume translates to approximately 55.4 million litres daily. The development comes as the international oil market faces fresh uncertainty over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, following the failure of the United States and Iran to agree on a peace deal.
Industry experts said the rising geopolitical uncertainty had significantly boosted demand for refined petroleum products from alternative suppliers such as Nigeria, especially as Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia scramble for more secure fuel sources.
The NMDPRA document showed that local refineries operated at an average capacity utilisation of 99.12 per cent in April, with the Dangote refinery accounting for the overwhelming share of production.
The regulator stated that the refinery achieved 100 per cent capacity utilisation “for most of the days in April.” The report also indicated that domestic refineries received 18.37 million barrels of crude oil in April, up from 13.11 million barrels recorded in March.
Findings further showed that the refinery maintained strong export momentum despite increased domestic supply obligations. According to the fact sheet, average daily petrol production stood at 53.6 million litres, while 40.7 million litres were supplied locally and 17.1 million litres were exported daily. Similarly, diesel production averaged 23.6 million litres daily, with exports accounting for 17.8 million litres per day, more than double the domestic supply volume of 8 million litres daily. For aviation fuel, exports stood at 20.5 million litres daily, compared to the domestic supply of 2.6 million litres per day.
The strong aviation fuel export performance comes weeks after reports emerged that domestic airline operators threatened to shut down over the rising cost of the fuel.
There are reports that Nigeria has become a net petrol exporter for the first time in decades due to rising output from the Dangote refinery. The refinery had earlier exported about 434 million litres of petrol in March after domestic production exceeded local consumption levels.
The latest figures underscore Nigeria’s gradual transition from a major importer of refined petroleum products to an export hub within Africa. It was observed that jet fuel exports may rise further if instability in the Middle East continues to disrupt traditional supply chains serving Europe and other regions.
The Middle East accounts for a substantial share of global aviation fuel exports, with the Strait of Hormuz serving as a strategic transit corridor for crude oil and refined petroleum products. The prolonged disruption in the region has tightened global fuel supply and pushed up prices internationally.
The NMDPRA report also revealed that Nigerians consumed an average of 51.1 million litres of petrol daily in April, slightly above the 50 million litres benchmark estimated by the regulator. Diesel consumption stood at 17.3 million litres daily, while aviation fuel consumption averaged 2.5 million litres per day.
Despite increased local refining activity, petrol prices remained elevated across the country. The regulator attributed prevailing prices partly to international crude oil costs, which averaged $120.55 per barrel during the month, while gasoline costs stood at $1,074.97 per metric tonne.
The refinery, with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is expected to play a central role in Nigeria’s energy security and foreign exchange earnings as global fuel trade patterns shift amid geopolitical tensions.
As the Nigerian refinery exports petrol, the NMDPRA has continued to issue licences for the importation of petrol.
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