Kosoko Royal Family moves to court over Oloja of Lagos succession dispute
A fresh legal battle has emerged within the Kosoko Royal Family of Lagos over the succession to the vacant Oloja of Lagos stool, as one ruling house challenges recent moves to initiate a new nomination process.
The Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House has approached the Lagos State High Court, urging the court to halt any efforts to appoint or install a new Oloja, arguing that the authorities have ignored an earlier nomination conducted by the kingmakers.
The suit, filed by the head of the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House, Surajudeen Abiodun Olojo-Kosoko, alongside another claimant, names the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, and six other parties as defendants.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Olusegun Fabunmi (SAN) said the legal action was necessary due to the alleged failure of the relevant authorities to recognize the nomination of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko.
“The family was surprised by a letter dated March 3, 2026, from the Lagos Island Local Council requesting the Kosoko Royal Family to nominate a preferred candidate between Abdul Rafiu Babajide Akanni Kosoko and Mukaila Olanrewaju Kosoko for the vacant stool,” Fabunmi said.
He explained that the request was based on a February 20, 2026, correspondence from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, which referenced a prior letter from the Oba of Lagos regarding the two princes.
Fabunmi argued that this request disregarded an earlier process in which Abiola Olojo-Kosoko had been unanimously elected by the nine kingmakers of the ruling houses on December 12, 2020, in line with the Oloja of Lagos Chieftaincy Family Declaration of 1983.
“The candidate was subsequently presented to members of the royal family at King Kosoko Palace on Ereko Street, Lagos Island, on December 31, 2020.
Traditional and administrative steps toward his installation began in 2021 after he fulfilled the requirements under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law,” he said.
In the court case, the claimants are seeking a declaration affirming that it is exclusively the turn of the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to produce the Oloja of Lagos, and that Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, having been screened and elected by the kingmakers, is the rightful heir to the stool.
Fabunmi further revealed that the claimants have filed an application for an interlocutory injunction to restrain government agencies and other parties from taking steps that could affect the chieftaincy process while the litigation is ongoing.
He urged all authorities involved, including the Lagos Island Local Council, to refrain from any action that may prejudice the matter, citing the Supreme Court ruling in Military Governor of Lagos State v Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (1986), which prohibits parties from taking self-help measures once a dispute is before the court.
Copies of the court filings have been forwarded to the Lagos State Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Oba of Lagos, and other stakeholders involved in the dispute.
