A fresh legal battle is brewing in Lagos State over Prince Isa Abiodun Shekoni-Faronbi’s installation as the Osolo of Isolo, despite a pending court case challenging the succession process.

In a pre-action protocol memorandum of claim addressed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, SAN, acting on behalf of Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Yekini-Goloba, accused the Lagos State Government of unlawfully installing Shekoni-Faronbi as monarch while litigation on the matter is ongoing.

According to the memorandum dated April 15, 2025, the traditional stool became vacant following the death of the former Osolo, Oba Kabiru Ajani Adelaja Agbabiaka, on April 10, 2024.

The Oshodi-Isolo Local Government had subsequently invited the Alagbeji Ruling House to nominate candidates, leading to the selection of Yekini-Goloba by the Isolo Kingmakers after due consultations with the Ifa oracle.

Yekini-Goloba’s nomination, the memorandum stated, was ratified by the local government authorities and confirmed by the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with no objections until a faction led by Chief Taoridi Faronbi filed a lawsuit challenging the process.

The legal action, filed as Suit No: ID/12095GCM/2024, specifically sought to restrain the Lagos State Governor and other authorities from proceeding with any installation until the court decided the matter.

However, according to the lawyer, while the suit remained pending, the Lagos State Government, to the shock of stakeholders, installed Shekoni-Faronbi as Osolo of Isolo on March 28, 2025.

Yekini-Goloba’s lawyers argued that this move violated the doctrine of lis pendens, which prohibits actions that could prejudice ongoing judicial proceedings.
“The installation constitutes a grave breach of due process and threatens the integrity of the judicial system,” the letter stated. “It undermines the peaceful atmosphere in Isolo and disregards the pending lawsuit, which is yet to be resolved.”

Yekini-Goloba is seeking several court orders, including a declaration that he remains the rightful Oba-elect, the nullification of Shekoni-Faronbi’s installation, the retrieval of all paraphernalia of office from him, and a directive for the state government to finalise his own installation.

The legal team also expressed willingness to resolve the dispute amicably, proposing that the Lagos State Government reverse the installation and proceed with crowning Yekini-Goloba as the legitimate Osolo of Isolo.

When The Guardian contacted the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the spokesperson, Adebayo Kehinde, simply said, “I can’t speak on the issue; I am sorry.”