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.