By Kayode Adeoti
The High Court, sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State has again, adjourned the judgement on who should be the Balogun-Fulani of Ilorin Emirate.
A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani dragged the District Head of Afon, Alhaji Sodiq Atiku, who was recently appointed the Balogun-Fulani, to court claiming he’s more eligible to ascend the stool.
The judgment on the matter was however stalled on Tuesday following the appointment of Atiku as Balogun-Fulani the Emir Of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari.
The court, took judicial notice of the appointment and asked the two parties in the suit to address it on the legality of the appointment, fixing June 6th for ruling on the matter.
The claimant’s counsel, Ibrahim Alabidun, has an moved application arguing that the appointment of Atiku as the Balogun-Fulani of Ilorin Emirate was not in order.
On the other hand, the defendant counsel, Abdulrasheed Ahmed, had posited that the appointment doesn’t affect the case since the Emir is not a party in the suit.
The court has fixed 6th June to rule on whether the appointment of Atiku as the new Balogun-Fulani is lawful or not.
Speaking to this medium after the proceedings, the defendant counsel, said, last week, the court adjourned the matter till today [Tuesday] for them to address him on whether Atiku’s appointment was lawful or not.
“The Judge said he took noticed that new Balogun-Fulani has been appointed and asked both parties to come and address him on the legality of the appointment.
“Parties have filed their arguments and court has taken Emir is not a party in the suit, he has power to appoint bona-fide member of Balogun-Fulani family of Ilorin as the substantive Balogun-Fulani and that power has been exercised by Emir.
“Our argument is that Ishola Balogun-Fulani is not of male lineage of the Ibrahim Olufadi ancestor of the Balogun-Fulani family, hence, he cannot ascend the throne. But, the claimant informed court that the earlier process filed in respect of the case has defeated the one filed recently and that there is nothing before the court to determine their own argument.
Recall that the stool became vacant in 2016 following the passing of Alhaji Mahamud Durosinlohun Atiku.
The Emir, last Thursday announced the District Head (Daudu) of Afon and a brother to the late Balogun, Alhaji Abubakar Sidiq Atiku as the successor to the throne.
Mallam Hanafi Kale Balogun was also appointed as the new Daudu of Afon in Asa Local Government Area to replace the new Balogun-Fulani.
