The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has refused an application by the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (retd), seeking to stop further hearing on the 10-count criminal charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred against him.At the resumed sitting on the matter on Wednesday, Badeh, through his lawyer, Mr. Samuel Zibiri, SAN, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him on the basis of the charge which he said was grossly defective.In his application dated 15th March, Badeh argued that the charge did not disclose any offence known to money laundering Act, insisting that the charge lacked legal validity.The member representing Epe Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Segun Olulade has expressed displeasure at the current supremacy feud between the Alake of Egba-Land, Oba Israel Adedotun Gbadebo and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
Olulade said the show of class among the first class and highly placed Obas in Yorubaland is uncalled for at a moment when the nation is battling with more serious national issues ranging from poor state of economy to security issue and Mr President’s relentless fight against corruption and indiscipline in the country.
Olulade said there are better roles for royal class to play at this trying moment than to engage in fruitless royal battle that is of no immediate or remote benefits to the Yorubaland, our people and the nation.
“The royal thrones are our sacred authorities in Yorubaland which we hold in high esteem; taking them to the public place for disgrace and insults are disgraceful to the entire Yorubaland and uncalled for,” Olulade said.
He appealed to the two royal fathers to sheath their swords and engage in royal responsibilities that bring honours, dignity and development to their people and the Yoruba race.
He also applauded the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Enitan for playing unifying role among the Obas in Yorubaland and providing empowerment for the people to support government’s efforts at achieving sound economic growth and development.
“I have the highest numbers of royal fathers in my constituency in Lagos State or possibly in the entire country, but there is peace because the Obas are very conscious of the current situation of our country and the need to help promote peace and harmony in the land,” he said.
“The Yoruba race earns its global respects from the refined class of its royal authorities and it will be so unfortunate to see same dragged in the mud for mere supremacy fight. Every royal father should administer its constituency with best practices in leadership rather than cross-carpet fight over who is higher than the other.
“The royal authorities all have histories that make each unique; therefore, the best way to show supremacy is in deploying exemplary leadership and not in media war and unhealthy fight amongst the royal father.”
