Permit me to first share with you the life and times of a Lagosian who was well respected and cherished. Olatunji Fortunatus Gomez was born on 18 March
Permit me to first share with you the life and times of a Lagosian who was well respected and cherished. Olatunji Fortunatus Gomez was born on 18 March 1928 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1961. Fondly and popularly referred to as Pa Gomez, he was a true son of Lagos who defied the powers that be and had his destiny shaped by resistance to colonial indignities. His grand uncle and client, Christopher Alexander Sapara-Williams, was Nigeria’s first lawyer. Sapara Williams died on the 15th of March, 1915 and was buried at the Ajele Stadium (which was then used as a burial ground).
(The reigning Oluwa of Lagos and Apapa)
2. DR. AKEEM OSENI (Odofin Branch)
3. MR. JAIYE OLUWA (Odofin Branch)
4. ALHAJI IMAM ISHOLA AKAPO (Asalu Branch)
5. ENGINEER WAHEED BAKARE OLUWA (Asalu Branch)
6. CHIEF NASIRU OLUWA (Idewu Branch)
7. PRINCE BABAJIDE SUMONU (Idewu Branch)
8. MR. ABIODUN TIJANI OLUWA (Amore Branch)
9. MR. SALISU OLUWA (Amore Branch)
10. ALHAJI AKEEM OTOTO (Faro Branch)
11. DR. MONDIU BABATUNDE SARUMI(Faro Branch) RESPONDENTS
(For themselves and on behalf of the Oluwa
Chieftaincy family of Lagos and Apapa)
(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Amina Adamu Augie, JSC)
Facts
In 1970, a dispute arose within the Oluwa Chieftaincy Family of Lagos and Apapa, over the number of branches that constitute the family. This led to the institution of Suit No. LD/828/70 at the High Court of Lagos State. In 1975, and while the suit was pending, the Appellant acquired a leasehold over a portion of land at Industrial Road, off Kirikiri Road, Apapa, belonging to th