Govt Installs Ikorodu Mornach, Despites Court Restraint Order

DESPITE the court injunction that restrained the Lagos State Government from installing the new Oba of Ikorodu, who was also bared by the same court from performing any function in the capacity of a traditional ruler, by an Ikeja high court, the government went ahead yesterday with the installation ceremony, while the new Oba also conferred chieftaincy tittles on some prominent indigenes of the state at the palace.

The town became literally agog because of the ceremony, during which the installed Ayangburen of Ikorodu,  Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi (Adegborishen V), officially conferred chieftaincy titles of Baba Oba of Ikorodu, Yeye Oba of Ikorodu and Boba Sona of Ikorodu on former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaja Mutiat Abike Ogbara and Managing Director, CCECC Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Li Qingyong respectively.

JUSTICE Olabisi Ogungbesan of Ikeja High Court had halted the ongoing coronation ceremony to fill the vacant stool of Ayangburen of Ikorodu in Lagos State. The installation was fixed for yesterday

The action was as a result of a suit filed by one Odupitan Eniola, who urged the court to halt the coronation process pending the determination of his suit .

Justice Ogungbesan found merit in Eniola’s application, and therefore stopped Shotebi’s coronation as prayed.

She, therefore, restrained the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, or anyone acting under his authority, from going ahead to crown the current Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabiru Shotebi, as the new Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom.

The judge also restrained Oba Shotebi from either “presenting himself for coronation” or “parading himself as the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, or actualising any recognition thereon as such, or exercising any of the Ayangburen royal functions,” pending the determination of the suit

But Ikorodu became a tourist attraction yesterday as hundreds of visitors besieged the palace to witness the historic event.

The town could have been a place not to visit because of traffic congestion in virtually every area but for the team of police officers and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who were on ground to manage the situation.

While conferring the chieftaincy title on the beneficiaries, Oba Shotobi pledged his support and dedication to the development of Ikorodu, Lagos and Nigeria as a whole, promising that his reign will continue to seek and embrace whatever will be to the advantage of the people and the ruling party.

He urged Nigerians to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari in the determination to end insurgency of the Boko Haram in the next three months.

He urged recipients of the tittles to live up to expectations, adding that, “We don’t just give titles in Ikorodu based on money, but look out for historical traces and good character.”

The new monarch however called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to consider the provision of necessary infrastructure that could speed up the ongoing development of Ikorodu town, saying: “Ikorodu town is key to the future of Lagos State.”

Tinubu, who was represented by the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, asked the monarch to embrace whatever would be the interest and development of his subjects.