By Kemi Balogun

One of the royal houses in Eko-Epe, in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos state, Balogun Ajeniya family has refused to be joined in the current legal battle between the Oba-elect, Oba Sefiu Adewale and Chief Adele Bankole.

The head of the Balogun family, Alhaji Asamu  Ajeniya said that the recent motion for joinder by the plaintiff in the chieftaincy suit was a calculated attempt by some elements to use the family’s name to get support in order to actualise their vaulting ambition.

Denying ever filing or indicating interest to be joined in the suit, the octogenarian said  that the family had not consented to any move to be joined in suit against Oba Adewale.

He said, “we consider this development as a surreptious attempt to use the family name to drum support for their unpopular move.  The  people of Eko-Epe have chosen Oba Adewale as the new Olu-Epe of Epe, and by that decision we stand. We will not accept any move to tarnish the image of the family by stealthily joining us in a suit against the Oba Adewale or tolerate any move to drag the name of the family to disrepute.”

The new Oba  Adewale was chosen and turbaned shortly after the demise of the late Olu-Epe, who died after a ghastly motor accident. Since then, one of the contending chiefs to the throne, Chief Adele Bankole filed a suit challenging the election of Oba  Adewale.  The court has adjourned sitting on the matter till June 8.