Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Yekini-Goloba has filed a lawsuit against the Lagos State government and several other parties at the Lagos State High Court.
He is challenging what he describes as the unlawful installation of Isa Abiodun Shekoni-Faronbi as the new traditional ruler of Isolo. In the suit marked LD/13362/2005, Yekini-Goloba is seeking to have the court declare him the lawful person entitled to ascend the throne. This is based on the rotational order among ruling houses in the Isolo Kingdom and the decision of the Alagbeji Ruling House, which he claims is next in line to produce the monarch.
The defendants in the suit include Prince Isa Abiodun Shekoni-Faronbi, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Chieftaincy Committee of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, and the Executive Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Council.
Yekini-Goloba, represented by his counsel, Prof Olarenwaju Fagbohun (SAN), is seeking a series of declaratory and injunctive reliefs. These include an order nullifying the purported nomination, approval, and installation of Shekoni-Faronbi. He also seeks an order directing the state government and its officials to recognise and install him as the new Osolo of Isolo.
According to court documents, Yekini-Goloba argues that the Alagbeji Ruling House, to which he belongs, is the rightful family to present a candidate following the death of the late Oba Kabiru Alani Adelaja Agbabiaka (Adeola Olushi III) in April 2024.
He claims to have secured majority support from the family and was duly selected by the Kingmakers through a transparent voting process after consultation with the Ifa oracle.
In his sworn statement, Yekini-Goloba narrates his lineage and connections to all three recognised ruling houses — Alagbeji, Okota, and Adeola — and insists that the appointment of Shekoni-Faronbi was done in defiance of tradition and during the pendency of a related suit before the court.
He is asking the court not only to invalidate the rival candidate’s installation but also to compel the withdrawal of all instruments of office, including the staff of office, from Shekoni-Faronbi. Additionally, he seeks N50 million as the cost of prosecuting the case.
