By Daud Olatunji
An Ogun State High Court has ordered the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to appear beore it on November 23 to state his roles leading to the installation of the Olowu of Owu, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega while in office.

The court presided over by Justice Peter Onamade also ordered that the two principal actors be served through substituted service.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Sola Ojutalayo, had told the court that, he was unable to serve the the writ of summons on Obasanjo and the Olowu, which according to him  had  been drawing the court process backwards, since it was filed  in July this year.

Ojutalayo, while  praying   that  he should be granted an order to serve Obasanjo and Olowu through substituted service, pleaded that it was the only way he could serve the duo, who according to him, are principals actors in the suit.

Justice Onamade granted  the prayer on the order  of  service on Obasanjo and Olowu by pasting it on Ota farms and Olowu’s palace respectively. In the summon which was glanced through by our correspondent, it was stated that  “ you are hereby commanded  that within thirty days after the service of this writ on you, Inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in  an action at the suit of the claimants and  take notice  in default of your so doing the claimant(s) may  proceed therein, and judgment may be given in your absence”.

The counsel to Fadairo, Sola Ojutalayo,  had told the court  that, the action of the former president and other kingmakers  to install Dosunmu as olowu was illegal  and  contrary to the age-long tradition of Owu Land.

He further argued that they allegedly acted in contrivance to customs and chief Laws, citing Cap 20 of the Laws of Ogun, 1978 to buttress

his claims ainst Obasanjo, who is the Balogun of Owu and other  kingmakers for their alleged role in the installation of Dosunmu,  in 2005.

This  occurred barely six years after the royal stool of Olowu of Owu, Abeokuta was filled in a controversial manner, which led to the

alleged  tear  of the first list of the choice of the  prospective Olowu of Owu by former President Olusegun Obasanjo brought to him by

the kingmakers.

As at this moment, crisis  seems to be   brewing its ugly held  over

who should be  the  rightful occupant of Olowu stool, as the acclaimed

choice  of the kingmakers, before the  alleged twist occurred,  headed

to court dragging former President Obasanjo, the Olowu and others

including  governor  Ibikunle Amosun to court.

Olutayo Adebiyi Fadairo, who is one of the contenders for the Olowu

chieftaincy,  dragged the incumbent monarch, Oba Dosunmu, to  the

court , seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the

traditional ruler from parading himself as the Olowu of Owu, Abeokuta.

The plaintiff also sued  State Attorney-General, Commissioner for

Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Secretary of Abeokuta

North Local Government Area of the state.

Joined in the suit as  defendants are Chiefs S.O. Olaifa, O.O.

Oshungboye, S. Ogunlolu, Adisa Adewolu and M. Ola Yusuf who were all

part of the selection of the new Oba.

In a writ of summons filed by his counsel, A. A. Isiolaotan Esq. and

dated June 22, 2011, Prince Fadairo sought a declaration that the

selection of Oba Dosunmu on July 3, 2005 by kingmakers was unlawful,

illegal, null and void.

In his submission, Prince Fadairo, said  the kingmakers had initially

appointed him as the new Olowu on August 9, 2004 in line with the

consent judgment of the State High Court dated July 21, 2004.