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By Christopher Oji
The elevation of chieftaincy stool to Oba’s stool in Imedu town, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, is brewing crisis in the area.
Youth of the community are spoiling for war and, if the state government does not take preventive actions urgently, serious crisis may erupt.
The youths who are reacting to what they described as unlawful imposition and political interference in the creation of an Oba’s stool want the immediate intervention of the Lagos State government.
The controversy raging in the community has drawn in top political and traditional figures, including a powerful stakeholder in the Lagos State House of Assembly, and three prominent Obas in Lagos.
The dispute stems from the alleged unlawful elevation of the Imedu traditional stool, which had historically remained at the Baale (village head) level.
Following the crisis, two prominent factions: the Sangodeyi Ruling House, represented by Oba Adeleke Akibu Ismaila, the Oba of Lepia Kingdom, and the Oloja Olumade Royal Family, both contesting the process through which Mr. Ibrahim Adebowale Sadiq Saliu was declared the Oba-elect of Imedu, have petitioned the Attorney-General of the state to wade into the matter.
The petitions, dated January 15, 2024, December 19, 2024, and February 20, 2025, want the state government to intervene.
In a petition filed by the legal firm Adekunle Koiki & Co., Oba Ismaila accused the House of Assembly member and the three Obas of illegally facilitating the creation of the Imedu Obaship stool and attempting to impose Mr. Saliu as the new traditional ruler without due process.
According to the petition, during a statutory meeting of Obas and Chiefs on October 29, 2024, a memorandum was read for the first time, announcing the creation of an Obaship stool for Imedu and the selection of Mr. Saliu as the Oba-elect. Oba Ismaila objected, arguing that the move violated the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law, as he was a consenting authority and had not been consulted.
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The matter took a violent turn during a Council of Obas’ meeting on November 26, 2024, when the powerful politician allegedly stormed the venue of the meeting and disrupted proceedings with threats directed at Oba Ismaila. The petition further claimed that thugs, allegedly led by a prominent chief, attacked and vandalized Oba Ismaila’s palace, sealing it off for seven days. It took the intervention of the police for the traditional ruler to regain access to his palace.
“Our client’s palace was sealed, its inhabitants were forcefully removed, and hoodlums were stationed to prevent reopening. This brazen act created fear and unrest in the community,” the petition stated.
In a separate petition dated December 19, 2024, and reiterated in a reminder on February 20, 2025, the Oloja Olumade Royal Family accused the Otedeko Family of distorting historical lineage to lay claim to the Imedu stool. According to their legal representatives, AIEL Law Office, Imedu community was founded by their ancestor, Oba Olumade, the former Oloja of Epe, in the 19th century, after his exile. They argued that the Otedeko Family, who historically served as subordinates, are now claiming royal lineage.
The petition detailed that, in 2007, a memorandum of understanding and a Power of Attorney divided Imeduland between the Olumade Royal Family and the Otedeko Family, but no agreement was made regarding the creation of an Obaship stool. The petitioners are now calling for the Lagos State Attorney-General to nullify the creation of the Imedu Obaship stool and the selection of Mr. Saliu as Oba-elect. They have also called for an official investigation into the Assembly member and the three Obas for their alleged role in bypassing due process.
“The larger implication of this attempted imposition is a fractured, divided community, replacing unity with discord,” the petition said. “If the due process is not followed, it sets a dangerous precedent for traditional institutions.”
Furthermore, the Olumade Royal Family has declared their own Oba-elect, Prince Aliu Adeyemi Shittu Olumade, and has submitted his credentials to the Lekki LCDA chairman for approval.
Despite multiple petitions and complaints, there has been no decisive action from the Lagos State government. The silence has raised concerns that political influence may be delaying justice. The petitioners continue to push for urgent intervention, warning that the matter could escalate to communal unrest, if left unresolved.
As of now, Mr. Saliu and others are yet to publicly respond to the allegations. The Lagos State Attorney-General’s office is expected to conduct an inquiry into the matter in the coming weeks.
This ongoing dispute over the Imedu stool shows the delicate balance between politics and tradition in Nigeria’s chieftaincy affairs. The outcome of this case will set a precedent for the preservation of traditional institutions and the legal processes governing kingship ascension in Lagos State.
