Osolo Stool: I’m The Duly Elected Osolo – Prince Jimmy Yekini-Goloba Tells Court

Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Yekini-Goloba has told a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Ezekiel Oluwole Ashade that he is the duly elected Osolo of Isolo by the town’s Kingmakers.

Taking to the witness stand in suit number LD/13362GCM/2025, Yekini-Goloba told Justice Ashade that two of the town’s four Kingmakers cast their ballot for him while one kingmaker voted for Prince Shekoni-Faronbi, and another, for Prince Saheed Ishola Aregbesola.

He listed the names of the four Kingmaakers in Isolo town as Chief Mukaila Adesegun Abgabiaka (Jagun Aluko), Chief Rahman Musendiku (Afobaje Ogodo), Chief Rasak Onikosi (Osuro), and Chief Jamiu Saka Omotoba (Omotoba).

Led in evidence by counsel from the chamber of Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun, Mr. Adeniyi Falade Esq., Prince Yekini-Goloba, as a Muslim, swore with the Holy Qur’an, promising to say the truth and nothing but the truth.

He had, during the course of the case, deposed to five statements of claims before the court. Those statements were tendered as exhibits before the court.

During cross-examination by counsel to the seven defendants in the suit, Mr. Adeola Onikosi, Prince Adetokunbo-Goloba told the court that the Alagbeji ruling house forwarded his name alongside 15 other princes to the Kingmakers when the process of electing a new Osolo of Isolo began.

Asked if the decision was taken after a letter was written to the Alagbaji ruling House by Isolo Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), he said that the statement was not correct. He said that one of the Kingmakers had earlier told the court that the decision to start the process of electing a new King for the town was based on the directive from the Oshodi/ Isolo Local Government.

Asked if there was any other method used by the Kingmakers apart from voting, Prince Yekini-Goloba said Ifa Oracle was also consulted and that he, alongside seven other princes were found suitable for the throne.

Asked if he was present when the Ifa oracle was consulted, he said no.

Asked if he knew who was the Head amongst the four Kingmakers, he said that he did not know their seniority.

Counsel: You said that you had two votes from the Kingmakers.

Prince Yekini-Goloba: Correct.

Counsel: But you were not there when they voted.

Prince Yekini-Goloba: Yes, I was not there.

Counsel: Since you were not there, you don’t know who and who voted for you.

Prince Yekini-Goloba: Incorrect.

Counsel: Name the Kingmakers that voted for you.

Prince Yekini-Goloba: Dr. Agbabiaka and Afobaje Onikosi Rasak.

Earlier in the day, Counsel to the late Chief Taoreed Faronbi in SUIT NO: ID/13725GCMW/2025, had filed a motion to separate the case from others on the ground that the matter involving Prince Yekini-Goloba had gone far, with four witnesses called, and that they were not privy to the case from the beginning.

Justice Ashade, in a short ruling,struck out the motion and awarded the cost of N200,000 in favour of Counsel to Prince Jimmy Yekini-Goloba.

Amongst the specific reliefs Yekini-Goloba is seeking are: “A declaration that the Alagbeji Ruling House is next in line to produce the new Osolo of Isolo pursuant to the Registered Declaration under the Chiefs Law (Cap 19) of the Revised Law of Western Nigeria, 1962, as adopted in Lagos.

“A declaration that the claimant, having been duly selected and nominated by the Alagbeji Ruling House and approved by the Kingmakers, is the rightful person to be appointed and installed as the new Osolo.

“An order restraining the State and Local Government authorities from recognizing Shekoni-Faronbi as monarch or disregarding the decision of the Alagbeji Ruling House.”

Thereafter, Justice Ashade adjourned the case till November 6, 2026 for continuation of trial.