Oba MacGregor Showers Christmas Food Packs On Ilawo Communities. Villages

Despite the early morning drizzle, residents of Ilawo and it's neighbouring communities trooped out to Ilawo Royal Palace in large numbers on 25th December 2025 to receive Christmas food incentives, courtesy of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor, the Olu of Orile Ilawo Kingdom.

The unique gesture which is in celebration of Christmas and New Year festive periods afforded the monarch a unique opportunity to lend a shoulder to the less-privileged to celebrate with their families and loved ones during the yelutide period through the provisions of food packs which included rice, beans, garri and groundnut oil.

Residents from Ilawo and neighbouring communities benefited from the food packs through their respective Community Development Associations (CDA).

The gesture was also extended beyond Ilawo as none villages under Ilawo Kingdom also benefited from the Olu of Ilawo food largesse. 

The villages include Elegunmefa, Alagbagba Asiwaju, Akinlade, Akonko, Igbore and Woola.

Others are Idowu Olodo, Oja Alagbagba and Abule Ola. The villagers got their food packs through their respective Baales or representatives.

 Court Stops NURTW, RTEAN From Tricycle Operations

. Recognizes TOAN As Only Lawful Operator In Lagos

The Lagos Division of the National Industrial Court has declared that Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) is a registered body with authority to carry out tricycle transport operations in Lagos State.

This is the import of the signed certified true copy of the court judgement delivered on 11th December 2025 by Hon. Justice E.J. Essien in the suit filed by the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) against the Lagos State Government, the State Attorney General, the National Union of Road  and Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) for unlawfully controlling operations of tricycle transport in the state.

Justice Essien in his judgement held that under the law, TOAN has the right to operate and organize itself independently for the purpose of carrying out tricycle operations and protect the welfare, rights and interest of tricycle operators in Lagos State.

In the originating summons which was filed on 24th August 2021, TOAN had sought to know through the provisions of the Nigerian constitution and the trade union act if the state government, the commissioner for transport, the attorney general and commissioner for Justice and the incorporated trustees of the Tricycle Owners and Drivers Association of Lagos State (TODAL) have the power to authorize the NURTW and RTEAN to operate or organize under, or merge/amalgamate with, and /affiliate to the NURTW and RTEAN for the purpose of carrying out tricycle operations for which purpose TOAN was registered as a trade union.

However, after four years of legal battle, the court eventually declared that the defendants lack the power to authorize NURTW and RTEAN to operate or organize under, or merge/ amalgamate with, and/ or affiliate to the NURTW and RTEAN for the purpose of carrying out tricycle operations and protection of the welfare rights and interest of tricycle owners and operators for which purpose TOAN was registered as a trade union.

By the judgement, the court also declared the commissioner's letter dated 22nd January 2020 and 12th April 2021 which discriminatory disapprove lawful tricycle operations of TOAN without any lawful cause, whilst allowing the operations of NURTW and RTEAN as unconstitutional, unlawful, oppressive and unfair labour practice and ultra vires the power of the state government, the commissioner for transport and the attorney general and commissioner for Justice. 

The court also ordered the state government, commissioner for transport and the attorney general and commissioner for justice, their agents , officers and or privies to recognize and allow TOAN and it's members/officers to operate freely in Lagos State without undue interference, inhibitions, constraints, hindrances, frustrations, for as long as TOAN's certificate of registration as a trade union subsists and has not been cancelled  by the Registrar of Trade Union's.

Consequently, the court awarded the sum of N5m (Five Million Naira) as aggravated damages in favour of TOAN for the disapproval, disruption, interference and inhibition of the lawful operations of TOAN in Lagos State.

 

IN A MUDDLE!

 Osolo's Case: When Dr. Agbabiaka Runs Into A Muddle

When Dr. Mukaila Adesegun Agbabiaka retired from the civil service as a Medical Director, he longed for a well-deserved rest after a distinguished medical career. But few years into his retirement, it seems peace of mind is becoming rather elusive for the Afobaje Jagun Aluko if his testimony at the ongoing Osolo of Isolo's court case is anything to go by.

Dr. Agbabiaka was subpoenaed by the Yaba Division of the Lagos State High Court to give evidence on Friday 5th December 2025 in the case instituted by Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Goloba challenging the installation of Oba Issa Abiodun Faronbi-Shekoni as the new Osolo of Isolo.

 As one of the four kingmakers of Isolo kingdom, Dr. Agbabiaka was expected to give testimony on how the kingmakers nominated and elected the candidate for the Osolo throne after the demise of former monarch, Oba Kabir Adelaja Agbabiaka who died in 2024 after a brief illness. 

He was led in giving evidence by the counsel to the 5th and 6th defendants (Oshodi/Isolo Chieftaincy Committee and Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Chairman) Barr. K.K. Sulaiman wherein he identified and acknowledged exhibit C1 and C2 (containing letter of nomination and selection of Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Goloba as Oba-elect for the vacant throne of Isolo and an acknowledgement letter) purportedly written to authorities of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area.

In the said letter, the kingmakers were said to have conveyed the election of Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Goloba as Osolo-elect to authorities of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government in accordance with the guidelines of the Obas and Chieftaincy Laws of Lagos State.

The retired medical practitioner even though admitted that he was not a member of the kingmakers when the former monarch was installed as the Osolo in 2005, he was, however, reliably informed that the selection and election of former Oba Kabir Adelaja Agbabiaka as Osolo of Isolo was conveyed through a letter to the erstwhile Executive Chairman of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, Pastor Israel Alagbe.

A twist was however added when the defence counsel to the 1st defendant (Oba Issa Abiodun Shekoni), Barr. Gbenga Ojo in his cross-examination asked Dr. Agbabiaka where Osolo stool is domiciled to which the witness replied by saying Isolo. 'Why then did the Kingmakers write Oshodi/Isolo Local Government and not Isolo LCDA?' The lawyer asked the witness.

In his response, Dr. Agbabiaka explained that the decision to write authorities of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area rather than Isolo LCDA was informed by a personal discussion he purportedly had with the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Hon. Kayode Roberts Bibire whom he claimed advised that the recommendation and selection letter should be forwarded to Oshodi/Isolo LGA rather than Isolo LCDA.

Dr. Agbabiaka was, however, taken aback by the directive he claimed to have received from the Executive Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Otunba Bayo Olasoju during a meeting the latter had with the kingmakers on the selection of the new Osolo in August 2024 at the council secretariat.

According to him, the council boss reportedly told the kingmakers to select three candidates out of the 15 candidates that vied for the throne. He added that the council boss said the three candidates would be subjected to security checks after which only one of them would eventually be picked with the name of the eventual candidate forwarded to the ministry for approval.

But this directive, according to Dr. Agbabiaka was contrary to the directive and counsel he claimed to have received from the commissioner. Hence, he felt writing to Oshodi/Isolo LGA was more appropriate.

However, the medical practitioner from the famous Jagun Aluko family left many in a confused state when he also admitted receiving notifications for the commencement of the selection process for the vacant Osolo throne from Oshodi/Isolo LGA and Isolo LCDA but chose to act on that of Isolo LCDA.

He literally left many more confused when the defence counsel poignantly asked him if he was among the kingmakers that installed Oba Issa Shekoni to which his response was in the affirmative.

The defence counsel literally added a jocular dimension to his cross-examination when he asked: "Did you and other kingmakers not installed Oba Shekoni? 'Yes' he responded. 'Did you and the other kingmakers not prostrate to him and hailed him by saying Kabiyesi oooo? To which he said 'Yes.'

However, when asked if he was aware of another letter written by the same kingmakers purportedly electing Prince Abiodun Shekoni as Osolo-elect, Dr. Agbabiaka claimed ignorance.

For keen followers of the case, Dr. Agbabiaka's testimony has opened a can of worms which will ultimately help to beam the searchlight on the selection processes for the Obaship succession contained in the Obas and Chieftaincy Laws of Lagos State. It would be of paramount importance to know who is the superior authority to receive official correspondence on the the choice of the kingmakers for the Osolo stool between Oshodi/Isolo LGA and Isolo LCDA. 

 Many would also wish to know which of the two letters did the ministry acted upon to install the new king and whether it's action is justifiable.

Therefore, more interesting and intriguing testimonies lay ahead as the claimant and the defence team are poised to invite more witnesses to testify in the case.

After due consultation with all the parties, the presiding judge, Justice E.O. Ashade adjourned the matter to 16th of January 2026 for further hearing.

HONOUR FROM HOME!

 HONOUR FROM HOME!

. As Kentucky Becomes Life Patron of Ishaga/Isolo NUT

 It was an honour well deserved as hommie and American-based businessman, Kolawole Odubote (a.k.a Kentucky) has been honoured with the Life Patron Award by Ishaga/Isolo branch of the Nigerian Union of Tailors.

In a letter of appointment jointly signed by the Chairman, Shina Ajibade and the secretary, Latifat Aina, the union stated that Odubote's elevation to the union's highest position of honour is in recognition of his remarkable qualities, impeccable character and passion for grassroot development.

It would be recalled at an award ceremony held on Saturday 14th December 2024 at Goloba Street, Isolo, Lagos, the association recognized and appreciated Kentucky’s widow’s mite towards the financial and moral upliftment of members of the union by bestowing a philanthropy award on him.

The Epe-born businessman has been contributing his quota towards the development of his immediate community particularly his neighbourhood in Isolo where he has launched a foundation in memory of his late mum, Alhaja Sikirat Ajoke Odubote.

The foundation has offered helping hands to less-privileged members of the society, business men and women, artisans, professional associations, churches and mosques particularly during festive periods when food items are freely distributed at Christmas and Sallah festivals.

Kentucky's investiture as Life Patron of the union is expected to hold on Saturday 6th December 2025 during the union's 31st year anniversary and inauguration of new executive committee members.

The event is slated to take place at No 28, Salawu Aliu Street, Oke-Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos.

 Osolo Case: Prince Jimmy Goloba Opens Case

. As Judge Dismisses Application To Appeal Ruling

Legal brickbats have began at the Yaba Division of the Lagos High Court as Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Goloba has opened his case on Friday 28th November 2025 in the suit challenging the installation of Oba Issa Abiodun Faronbi-Shekoni as the new Osolo of Isolo.

At the resumed hearing before Hon. Justice E.O. Ashade, the desire of the claimant's senior counsel Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun (SAN) to call his first witness was temporarily delayed by the defence counsel, Gbenga Ojo who posited that the defence team have already submitted four applications for determination on the interlocutory injunction sought by the claimant. 

In his earlier ruling, Justice Ashade had dismissed the claimant's quest for a restraining order against  Oba Issa Abiodun Faronbi-Shekoni from parading himself as the new Osolo of Isolo pending the determination of the substantive suit. Instead, the judge promised accelerated hearing of the case.

However, the defendant's desire to have the judge extricate himself from hearing the case for lack of jurisdiction failed as the judge said he was prepared to hear the case regardless of jurisdiction or no jurisdiction.

But this particular ruling is the subject of four applications submitted to the court by the defendants for determination. 

The defence team also pleaded for an extension of time for the written response of the claimant even as they also requested for the 5th and 6th defendants to be removed from the suit.

Responding, Prof Fagbohun was up in arms with the defence team over the four applications submitted to the court by describing it as a sinister move ostensibly designed to alter the interest of justice.

The legal luminary enjoined the judge to rule on the application even as he pleaded the claimant is ready to open it's case with three witnesses expected to enter the dock among whom is a U.S- based man who was invited home specifically to give evidence.

In his ruling, Justice Ashade dismissed the application to extricate himself from the case even as he was open for oral response to the application.

On the the bid to expunge the 5th (Chieftaincy Committee of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government) and 6th (Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Chairman) respondents from the case, the judge averred that the two respondents are creation of the 2nd respondents and therefore remain central to the case.

With the applications temporarily sorted out, the claimant effectively opened it's case by calling on Dr. Mukaila Adesegun Agbabiaka, a retired medical director and one of the four kingmakers of Isolo kingdom who was ordered to give evidence in the case through a court order (subpoena).

Dr. Agbabiaka was in court in connection with two documents he allegedly submitted to the authorities of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government on the 4th September 2024 and 7th September 2024 respectively.

The kingmaker from Jagun Aluko Family acknowledged submitting the two documents (Minutes of the meeting of the Kingmakers and Acknowledgement of the Selection and Election of Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Goloba as Oba-elect) to authorities of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government).

However, the counsel to the 5th respondent, K.K. Sulaiman countered by alleging one of the documents tendered did not bear a reference number to prove it's authenticity.

Regardless, Justice Ashade admitted the two documents as exhibits A and B before adjourning the case to Friday 5th December 2025 for further hearing.