There was confusion today at Oyo State High Court as two different counsels appeared for the Minister of Justice in a case the Oyo State Government filed against the suspended Council chairmen over the crisis rocking the leadership of local governments in the state. 

In the case, Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Inspector General of Police and Attorney General of the Federation are also attached, respondents.

At the resumption of the case today, a counsel Mr Abiodun Amole from Chief Niyi Akintola’s Chamber stood for the Attorney General of the Federation but was immediately countered by a Principal State Counsel from Federal Ministry of Justice Abuja, Mrs A.O. Ukpai said she came from Abuja to represent the minister. 

The argument on this representation took some minutes as the state counsel insisted that she was given a letter to that effect and counsel from Chief Akintola’s Chamber said he was the one to speak for the minister and requested that the case be stood down to consult his principal.

This was however opposed by the Counsel to Oyo State Government, Dr Akin Onigbinde who called the attention of the court to a letter he received from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Malam Yusuff Alli indicating that he had been consulted to replaced Former Counsel to the Suspended Local Government Chairmen, Mr Kunle Shobaloju and requested for adjournment of the case till April 13 and 14.

Other Counsel in the matter told the court the dates were not convenient and chose May 11 and 12.

Ruling on the arguments, the Presiding Judge, Justice Moshood Abass told the Counsel from Chief Akintola’s Chamber and the Counsel from Federal Ministry of Justice to settle the issue between them before the next adjournment and adjourned the case till May 11 for the report of settlement or hearing.

Sunday Ogunyemi

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