By Michael Ofulue Osogbo
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A US-based university don, Professor Adekunle Oloki, has urged the Ataoja in Council, Osun State house of Assembly and Osun State Government to intervene in the paternity issue of his daughter in the custody of Ataoja of Osogboland.
Oloki had dragged his former wife, Olori Kafayat Adedoyin Adetunji, who is now married to the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, before an Erin-Osun Customary Court.
He alleged that his ex-wife , Kafayat, refused to let him have contact with their daughter since she took her to the palace.
When the case was called for hearing on Wednesday, Counsel to the defendant, S. B. Ajibade told the court that he could not continue with the hearing of the case on security grounds.
Ajibade said, “My Lord, I urge this honorable court to move this case to the state capital for security reasons. As you can see, the plaintiff stormed the court with security personnel and press men. And for this reason, I wouldn’t want to continue with the hearing .
“We are not safe and we can not go on again , except if only the two parties be allowed to stay in court while the press and security personnel stay away.
“We are in a state of apprehension. I pray the court to consider my application.
The plantiff’s counsel , Asafa Olare, who did not oppose the application of the defence counsel said she believes in whatever the court says.
The president of the court, K.B Adeyinka, having held from both parties said,” It is not in my discretion to transfer the case to Osogbo. I will contact the president of the judicial and follow whatever he says.
He adjourned the case till June 21, 2023, for hearing.
Briefing the court after the ruling, Prof Oloki lamented that the Ataoja’s wife has denied him access to his daughter for the past eight years.
He said he brought the security personnel to court because of his own safety, adding that the president of the court ought to have ignored the application of the defence counsel based on the fact that he (Oloki) is not a resident of Nigeria.
“For almost 8 years, Olori has successfully denied me access to my daughter. I have called the attention of a lot of people to it, asking them to prevail.
I have equally gone to the palace with elders, but the Ataoja of Osogbo, being the daddy of Osogbo, has deliberately enabled his wife by denying me access to my daughter and this has inflicted mental pain, agony and emotional imbalance on me over the years .
“I brought them to court to seek redress and I flew in from the United States, just a couple of days ago, so that the hearing can move on, he explained.
The respondent sited safety as one of the excuses that will not allow her to move on with the case what I see is that they want to use ploy, tactics to drag the matter. Safety of my life is very important to me, which is why I brought security personnel to court .
“The judge knew fully well that I am not staying in Nigeria and I may not be in court on the next hearing date.
“I beg the Ataoja in Council to intervene in this matter, including the Osun State House of Assembly, Osun State Govt and the Inspector General of Police. I will petition them in a couple of days. I’m going to involve relevant agencies.”
