This was a dispute as to who of the contending parties was entitled under customary law to be the Baale or head of a village called Egbeda. On 17-3-87, one Chief Salimonu Bolatito Lawal as Plaintiff for and on behalf of Tanimowo family of Egbeda brought a suit against the Respondents as the Defendants claiming the following:

The parties filed and exchanged pleadings after which the suit was heard at the Ibadan High Court of Oyo State by Lajide J. On 22 - 6 - 89, the trial Judge in his judgment dismissed the Plaintiff's claim. It is pertinent to observe that the original Plaintiff died and the present two Appellants were substituted for him. The Plaintiffs were dissatisfied and they brought an appeal before the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division (i.e. the Court below). The Court below on 20th June, 2001, in its judgment dismissed the Plaintiffs' appeal. The Plaintiffs have come before this Court on a final appeal.