Eid-el-Fitr: New Oko-Oba Residents Celebrate As High Chief (Prince) Ajibola Arowolo Resumes As Recognised Baale of New Oko-Oba Abule Egba Ojokoro LCDA
Written by Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
Residents and Muslims faithful of New Oko-Oba in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) gathered at the Eid-el-Fitr praying ground to celebrate both the end of Ramadan and what they described as a new chapter of stability in the community, following a landmark judgment by the Court of Appeal affirming High Chief (Prince) Gafaru Ajibola Arowolo as the authentic Baale.
The appellate court’s ruling, delivered on March 12, 2026, at its headquarters in Abuja, brought to a close a chieftaincy dispute that lasted more than a decade over the traditional stool of New Oko-Oba in Lagos State.
In its unanimous judgment in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/1058/2022 between Chief Gafaru Arowolo and five others, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and five others, the panel led by Justice Fredrick O. Oho, JCA, declared the Olarokun Chieftaincy Family as the rightful ruling house and affirmed Prince Ajibola Arowolo as the duly recognised Baale of New Oko-Oba Abule Egba community.
The verdict is widely regarded as a decisive resolution to years of tension and uncertainty that had affected traditional leadership structures and community cohesion.
Legal observers say the pronouncement is expected to usher in renewed stability, administrative clarity, and strengthened grassroots governance within the area.
Community stakeholders and family representatives have welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant milestone toward fostering unity, peaceful coexistence, and accelerated development in New Oko-Oba.
The ruling also legally restrained Chief Omololu Pedro from parading himself as Baale, thereby reinforcing the authority of the recognised traditional leader.
Speaking with journalists, the Grand Chief Imam of New Oko-Oba (Olarokun) Central Mosque, Alhaji AbdulFatai AbdulAhmed, expressed gratitude to God for what he described as the emergence of the rightful occupant of the traditional stool. He commended the judiciary for upholding truth and justice, urging residents to support the recognised Baale in the interest of peace and progress.
High Chief (Prince) Gafaru Ajibola Arowolo was also seen celebrating the Eid festivities with family members, friends, and residents, a moment many described as symbolic of unity and renewed communal harmony in the community.
Observers believe that with the chieftaincy dispute now conclusively settled, the Baale’s full traditional authority will enhance leadership structures and boost ongoing development initiatives across New Oko-Oba Community.
