FATIMA OMORO AKINBAMI, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal emanated from a chieftaincy dispute between the Plaintiff Chief Mathew Kayode Akinyemi, the Obaji-Oke of Ise-Ekiti and the Respondent Chief Saliu Lawal the Obaji-Odo of Ise-Ekiti. The dispute is over usurpation of Plaintiff's position function in Ise-Ekiti of Ekiti State by the Respondent.
The dispute started long ago around 1971 when the Respondent was installed as the Obaji-Odo in Ise-Ekiti. The Appellant alleged that the Respondent Obaji-Odo is trying as much as he could to usurp the position and customary functions of the Obaji-Oke. That the Respondent now arrogates to himself the chairmanship of Ihare and Iwarafa Chiefs as well as the kingmakers to himself contrary to native law and customs of Ise-Ekiti.
The Appellant in his Statement of Claim gave a long history of how his forefathers, Obaji-Oke migrated from Ile-Ife to Benin, later to Okeluse and finally settled at Ise- Ekiti.
That Appellant is the hea…