The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the decision of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, effectively dethroning Michael Onakoya as the king and Orijeru of Igbooye land, Epe.
Michael Onakoya had appealed the lower court’s judgment that removed him from the throne. The Court of Appeal had previously affirmed the dethronement, and Onakoya sought redress at the highest judicial level.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling, cited the extensive delay in prosecuting the appeal as a key factor. Onakoya’s legal team failed to diligently pursue the case, leading to a lapse of over five years without any action on their part. The Court of Appeal had dismissed the appeal based on this lack of diligence, invoking Order 17 Rule 10 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2007.
Justice Amina Adamu Augie, speaking on behalf of the Supreme Court, emphasized the importance of timely legal proceedings: “Justice delayed is justice denied. The Appellants’ failure to prosecute their appeal in a timely manner undermines the integrity of our judicial system.”
With the Supreme Court’s decision, Michael Onakoya’s reign as king of Igbooye land officially comes to an end. The ruling sets a precedent for other cases involving appeals and underscores the need for litigants to diligently pursue their legal rights.
The people of Igbooye land now await the appointment of a new king, as the community moves forward from this historic legal battle.
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