The Lagos State High Court has restrained the Lagos State Government and other respondents from taking further steps towards recognising or installing Ibrahim Saliu as the purported Oba-elect and Onise of Ise Kingdom in Epe Local Government Area of the state.

Justice S. Sonaike made the interim order on Thursday in Suit No. LD/0022PRA/2026 following an ex-parte application brought by Alhaji Adeniyi Atere; Mrs Idowu Lana, for herself and on behalf of the Okouye Ruling House, Igbekodo Quarters, Ise Town, Lekki; and Mr Babatunde Lana, also known as Babatunde Esulana.

The respondents include the Governor of Lagos State; Attorney-General of Lagos State; Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development; Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development; Epe Local Government Area; and Lekki Local Council Development Area.

Others joined in the suit are Chief Balogun Aramide Arashi, Aro of Ise Kingdom; Balogun Akeem Adebomehin; Aliu Tiamiyu Akanni; Olayinka Akintoye; and Ibrahim Saliu.

The dispute centres on a letter dated March 30, 2026, allegedly forwarded by some of the respondents and purportedly nominating Saliu as the Oba-elect of Ise Kingdom.

The applicants asked the court to restrain the first to fifth respondents, their agents, servants, officers or privies from acting on the letter or continuing any process aimed at appointing Saliu as the Onise of Ise Kingdom in Lekki LCDA of Epe Local Government Area.

They contended that the purported nomination was contrary to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs of Lagos State Law, 2015, as well as the Registered Declaration governing the selection and appointment to the stool of Onise of Ise.

Ruling on the application, Justice Sonaike held that the request for interim protection was meritorious after considering the processes filed and accompanying exhibits.

The court noted the applicants’ argument that the subject matter of the litigation was “extremely fragile” and capable of being dissipated unless immediate steps were taken to preserve it pending further proceedings.

Justice Sonaike observed that any alteration to the historical and cultural heritage connected with the traditional stool could potentially defeat the purpose of the substantive action and render the eventual judgment of the court nugatory.

The court consequently restrained the first to fifth respondents from acting on the March 30 letter or implementing any process aimed at appointing Saliu as the Onise of Ise Kingdom pending full compliance with the court’s pre-action protocol.

Justice Sonaike, however, made clear that the injunction was interim and would lapse after seven days unless renewed by the court.

The court further directed that the Memorandum of Claim together with the interim order be served on the respondents.

The matter was adjourned to August 20, 2026, for report of compliance and continuation of proceedings.

The court had earlier granted the applicants leave to have their application heard during the judiciary’s annual long vacation following a motion filed on August 10, 2026.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________

[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials

“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.

Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation

______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.