The case of chieftaincy tussle over the stool of Etsu Patigi is before Chief Justice S.D Kawu of the state high court.

The case suit with no; KWS/192/2020 is between Alhaji Mohammed Lawal of Nadoki ruling house and Engr. Usman Baba Jibril on behalf of Kpatako ruling house of Patigi against Ibrahim Umar Bologi of Baba Bologi ruling house of Patigi, Governor of Kwara state, Attorney General and commissioner for justice, Alh. Mohammed (Ndaji of Patigi), Mall. Mohamud Ndaji(Tsaize of Patigi), Mall. Abdullahi Hassan Ndaji, Mohamud Ndaji Gbara, Alh. Ndana(chief Imam of Patigi) and Patigi traditional council.

Speaking with our reporter shortly after the court sitting on Tuesday, counsel to the claimant, Barrister Dauda Ariyoosu assured that justice would be serve appropriately on the matter.

He explained that , “my client’s name was submitted before the kingmakers but another person was officially announced as the new Etsu, hence he decided to approach the court for redress.

“We are optimistic that justice will be done on the case and my client will surely occupy his rightful stool. The matter is before the competent court as the law will take its course,” the legal luminary said.

The case has since be adjourned to April 19 for hearing.

Recall that the throne of the Patigi Emirate became vacant when the foremost traditional ruler and the 6th Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Umar Chatta Ibrahim, passed on in March 2019. The traditional ruler died after a brief illness at an Abuja hospital.

Few weeks after his demise, there were lot of anxiety over who succeeds the late Etsu and lots of suggestions on how to go about it.

Before the selection of the new Etsu, there were fears of external interference in the process as expressed by the Waziri of Patigi, Alhaji Rabiu Usman Ndalolo at a consultative meeting held at the chamber of the legislative arm of Patigi Local Government Area.

Ndalolo, however, cautioned that any action contrary to the position of the kingmakers could ignite crisis in the community, just as he asked the state government not to go against the wishes of the people on the appointment of new Etsu.

He insisted that only the five kingmakers under the chairmanship of the Ndeji Patigi, Alhaji Muhammed Ndeji, were empowered to screen all contestants and submit names of the best candidates to the council chairman for onward transmission to the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Ndeji said the kingmakers signed a pact after the demise of the late Etsu that the kingship be rotated among the ruling houses out of which the new Etsu would emerge.

Abdulfatah Ahmed, the immediate Governor of Kwara State appointed and installed Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, as the new Etsu Patigi. He is the son of the late Etsu. He was turbaned and officially presentation with a 1st class staff of office by the then governor.