The Balogun Kujenyo, Balogun Agoro and Balogun Fagbemi also known as Balogun Biro in Osogbo, have prayed the Commission of Enquiry on Disturbance of Public Peace in the State of Osun to declare them as the only three families having exclusive right to the Balogun of Osogbo Chieftaincy title.
The Balogun families had filed a petition before the Commission, joining the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ataoja of
Osogbo and 3 others as respondents.
They want the Commission to declare them as the exclusive family that is entitled to the Balogun and Otun Balogun of Osogbo chieftaincy title.
When the case came up for hearing on Wednesday, a representative of the Balogun families, Alhaji Sulaimon Adetunji told the Commission that the Balogun and Otun Balogun title was exclusive
to the three families and that no other family has ever produced a Balogun of Osogbo.
Adetunji stated that, the situation however, changed in 2012 when the procedure for the appointment of the Balogun of Osogbo was
altered.
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, the third respondent, told the panel that, the Balogun was never exclusive to the three families of Balogun Kujenyo, Agoro and Fagbemi.
Ataoja, who was legally represented by Alhaji Ganiyu Adesina, stated that there had been Balogun Matanmi and Balogun Oyipi, among others, who later rose to become Ataoja Matanmi 1 and Ataoja
Oyipi respectively.
Ataoja added that Balogun Matanmi and Balogun Oyipi were not from the three families that want the Balogun of Osogbo to be exclusive to them.
The Ataoja stressed that, there are other smaller chieftaincy titles under Balogun that are promotional like the Otun Balogun; Osi Balogun, Eketa Balogun, Ekerin Balogun, Seriki Balogun and Are Ago Balogun
He stated further that, an Osun State High Court, headed by Justice Adepele Ojo (now Chief Judge) in 2009, affirmed that the Balogun title was promotional and that all the smaller chieftaincy titles under Balogun can be promoted to become the Balogun.
However, Balogun Kujenyo, Balogun Agoro and Balogun Fagbemi families have appealed the judgement of the High Court.
Oba Oyetunji also informed the panel of a judgment of another High Court in Osogbo in 2014, which dismissed the application of the three families that wanted the Balogun and Otun Balogun of Osogbo to be exclusive and restricted to them.
The traditional ruler also told the panel that the three families did not appeal the earlier court judgment on the suit where the Governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola was the first respondent and the Ataoja of Osogbo was the fifth respondent.
He equally informed the panel that there is a law in place that says appointment and installation of Balogun does not require approval of the Governor, as it is a minor chieftaincy which falls under the purview of the Ataoja.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Moshood Adeigbe has adjourned the matter till June 01, 2015 for further hearing.
The Balogun families had filed a petition before the Commission, joining the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ataoja of
Osogbo and 3 others as respondents.
They want the Commission to declare them as the exclusive family that is entitled to the Balogun and Otun Balogun of Osogbo chieftaincy title.
When the case came up for hearing on Wednesday, a representative of the Balogun families, Alhaji Sulaimon Adetunji told the Commission that the Balogun and Otun Balogun title was exclusive
to the three families and that no other family has ever produced a Balogun of Osogbo.
Adetunji stated that, the situation however, changed in 2012 when the procedure for the appointment of the Balogun of Osogbo was
altered.
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, the third respondent, told the panel that, the Balogun was never exclusive to the three families of Balogun Kujenyo, Agoro and Fagbemi.
Ataoja, who was legally represented by Alhaji Ganiyu Adesina, stated that there had been Balogun Matanmi and Balogun Oyipi, among others, who later rose to become Ataoja Matanmi 1 and Ataoja
Oyipi respectively.
Ataoja added that Balogun Matanmi and Balogun Oyipi were not from the three families that want the Balogun of Osogbo to be exclusive to them.
The Ataoja stressed that, there are other smaller chieftaincy titles under Balogun that are promotional like the Otun Balogun; Osi Balogun, Eketa Balogun, Ekerin Balogun, Seriki Balogun and Are Ago Balogun
He stated further that, an Osun State High Court, headed by Justice Adepele Ojo (now Chief Judge) in 2009, affirmed that the Balogun title was promotional and that all the smaller chieftaincy titles under Balogun can be promoted to become the Balogun.
However, Balogun Kujenyo, Balogun Agoro and Balogun Fagbemi families have appealed the judgement of the High Court.
Oba Oyetunji also informed the panel of a judgment of another High Court in Osogbo in 2014, which dismissed the application of the three families that wanted the Balogun and Otun Balogun of Osogbo to be exclusive and restricted to them.
The traditional ruler also told the panel that the three families did not appeal the earlier court judgment on the suit where the Governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola was the first respondent and the Ataoja of Osogbo was the fifth respondent.
He equally informed the panel that there is a law in place that says appointment and installation of Balogun does not require approval of the Governor, as it is a minor chieftaincy which falls under the purview of the Ataoja.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Moshood Adeigbe has adjourned the matter till June 01, 2015 for further hearing.
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