An Oyo State High Court has ordered the state government and the immediate past governor of the state Senator Abiola Ajimobi not to visit a landed property purportedly belonging to the former governor but revoked by the government until the determination of interlocutory injunction pending before the court. 

The order followed the inability of the court to hear a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed by counsel to Senator Ajimobi, Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi, due to failure of the counsel to the Oyo State Government Mr.  Nathaniel Oke to respond to the motion on time. 

At the mention of the case, the counsel to the state government filed a motion seeking for the extension of time to respond to the application filed by Senator Ajimobi.

Counsel to Senator Ajimobi, who did not oppose the motion, however, asked the court to order that status quo be maintained on the land. 

Mr.  Gbadamosi told the court that status quo as at February 13 when he filed the motion was that the land belonged to the former governor.

This submission generated argument as counsel to the government said the status quo as at the time the application was filed was the revocation of the land, saying the land was revoked on February 10 while the application was filed on February  13.

The presiding judge, who is also the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, told the counsels to advise their clients not to visit, or take any action on the said land pending the determination of the pending motion. 

He ordered the counsel to the state government to file the defence within ten days, and that of the petitioner to respond within 7 days. 

Sunday Ogunyemi

The Oyo State Government has proposed a term of settlement with the embattled elected Local Government Chairmen in the state, in other to find a solution to the crisis currently rocking the Local Government.

Counsel to the state government, Dr. Akin Onigbinde SAN, in a case filed by the government against the Chairmen, stated this while briefing the High Court in Ibadan on the report of the out-of-court settlement proposed by the state government.

At the last mention of the case, the Court gave the parties till today, Friday 21st February to reach an agreement and come up with a resolution, and Dr Onigbinde told the Court that the state government had proposed a term of settlement and forwarded the proposal to counsel to the embattled council chairmen in accordance with its directive. He therefore appealed to the Court to give them another chance for the parties to reach a decision on the proposal.

Confirming the receipt of the proposal, counsel to the embattled chairmen, Mr. Kunle Shobaloju, said he received the proposal yesterday and had forwarded same to his client, but was yet to receive their response. 

Also confirming the receipt of the proposal was the counsel to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Niyi Akintola SAN. However, counsel to the Commissioner of Police in Oyo state, Mrs. Oluwafunke Fawole, and the state chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi said they had not received the proposal, and requested a copy.

Responding, presiding Judge, Justice Moshood Abass adjourned the case till March 20 this year for the parties to go back to the round table, and present their report.

Speaking afterwards, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, expressed optimism that the proposal would work, while Mr. Kunle Shobaloju said the chairmen would study the proposal and submit their report. However, on his part, counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation Chief Niyi Akintola said the proposal would not be accepted, describing it as a delaying tactic.

The parties are expected to meet before the adjourned date and present the report of their meeting to the Court.

Sunday Ogunyemi

The Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola has warned magistrates to refrain from taking any case outside their jurisdiction.

Justice Abimbola stated this during his visit to Abolongo Custodial Centre Oyo town.

The chief judge noted that magistrates taking charge of cases outside their power would unnecessarily prolong the stay of the suspects in custody, which would amount to an infringement on their rights.

He told the magistrate to strike out any case that was not taken to the right court or not diligently prosecuted within forty two days.

Justice Abimbola reminded the magistrates of the provisions of administration of criminal justice law that suspects should not be kept unnecessarily without due prosecution.

Radio Nigeria judiciary correspondent, who is on the entourage of the Chief Judge reports that the CJ frowned at the situation in which many cases that were supposed to be in high courts were still awaiting trial at various magistrate courts. 

 Ten inmates at Abolongo Custodial Center had been released at the time filling this report. 

Some of the inmates were released on poor health grounds.

Sunday Ogunyemi

National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan has ordered the eighth defendant, Ademola Babalola in a suit challenging his eligibility in the 2019 Oyo State Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, election to channel his prayers through the appropriate quarters.

At the resumption of the matter before justice John Peters, counsel to the defendant, Toyese Owoade prayed the court to transfer committal proceedings before it to another court, while counsel to the claimant, Mr Oluwadamilare Awokoya argued that he had not completed the process of the committal proceedings, noting that the action of the defense counsel was preemptive.

The trial judge, Justice Peters disclosed that he had no special interest in the matter and did not have any reason not grant the prayer, but the court lacked the power to transfer such as requested by the defense counsel.

Justice peters ruled that it was wrong for the defense to file a Motion on Notice for such prayer rather he should write to the President of the National Industrial Court for transfer of the case from him to another court.

The claimant counsel also informed the court that some of the defendants were involved in the forceful breaking into the office of Oyo State chairman of NUJ, Mr Adewumi Faniran and hijacking the activities of the union.

The matter however was adjourned till sixteenth of june 2020.

 The respondents are Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ, President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, National  Secretary of the union, National Executive Council of the union, Chairman NUJ, Oyo, Mr Adewumi Faniran, Chairman Screening Committee Pastor Kayode Akinsola, Chairman Credentials Committee, NUJ Oyo Council, Prince Semiu Azeez, and Ademola Babalola, who is an aspirant in the yet to be conducted election.

 It would be recalled that Oyo NUJ 2019 Credentials Committee had postponed the elections on the grounds that the committee had received a court notice on the election and that the National Secretariat should clear grey arrears in the process of the election, which included voters list and padding of accredited member list ahead of the election.

Speaking with newsmen after the sitting, counsel to the claimants, Mr. Awokoya expressed confidence that no matter the level of delay tactics employed by anyone standing trial, justice would definitely prevail

Adedayo Adelowo

Thirty two inmates at Agodi Custodial Center of Nigerian Correctional Service Oyo State Command were on Wednesday released by Chief Judge Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola.

Twenty-five of the released inmates are male and while seven are female inmates. Among them was a middle-aged woman who had her baby while in custody. 

She was released to the custody of Justice Development and Peace Commission, JDPC who will take the custody of her pending the time her case would be finally settled.

According to the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Junta Abimbola, one thousand and seventy-nine inmates were presented to the Judiciary by the authorities of Nigerian Correctional Service, Oyo State Command for review but only One hundred of them were treated.

Out of the thirty-two inmates released, three were released on compassionate ground, some were released on the ground that they had already overstayed the years of their punishment even if they were found guilty of their offence, some were released on the grounds that their case was contractual remedy while others were granted an accelerated hearing.

Justice Abimbola therefore, advised the released inmate not to go back criminal act.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent reports that the state Chief Judge and his entourage were at the custodial Center on the invitation of the Authority of Nigerian Correctional Service Oyo State Command.

Sunday Ogunyemi

It is no more news that Senator Hope Uzodinma is now the Governor of Imo State going by the Supreme Court’s judgment.

However, the judgment has become controversial prompting the sacked governor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other stakeholders to call for its review.

In this special report, Ridwan Fasasi examines the possibility of the review as well as its implications.

The Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure has begun hearing of a case involving the founder of Sotitobire Miracle Centre, Prophet Alfa Babatunde and six others over the missing one-year-old boy in his church last year.

The defendants were all present in court including one Peter Anjorin, who was at large when the case was first brought before magistrate court.

Prophet Babatunde and others however pleaded not guilty to counts involving aiding kidnapping of the missing child charged against them.

Other defendants are Omodara Olayinka,Margaret Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo and Esther Kayode.

All efforts by the counsel for the defendants, Mr Olusola Oke to ensure court granted them bail based on the applications earlier filed were unsuccessful as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Grace Olowoporoku told Justice Ayedun Odusola that the defence counsel filed multiple bail applications that were difficult to reply.

Justice Odusola however asked Mr Oke to fine tune his bail applications pending the next court date so as to commence hearing of the bail applications.

He adjourned the case till 16,17and 19 March for next hearing.

Staff Reporter, Kayode Animasaun reports that the road linking the court as well as the court premises were filled up with residents who came to see the outcome of the hearing while security operatives manned the court room where the case was being heard. 

Adedayo Adelowo

The President of the Nigerian Courts of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa says the judiciary is expanding as much as possible with a commitment to proving quality service to Nigerians.

Justice Bulkachuwa gave the assurance upon arrival at the Asaba International Airport to inspect the newly constructed Appeal Court building in the state capital.

The President of the Courts of Appeal pointed out that the Judiciary has been consistent in its duty to Nigerians.

She also urge Nigerians to keep faith with the arm of government as it was the last hope of the common man.

Oghenero             

The Executive and Judicial arm of government in Oyo State will continue to maintain a united and purposeful direction in advancing the growth of the state.

 Governor Makinde gave the assurance at a special valedictory service in honour of the President, Oyo state Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Eni Esan while retiring from service.

Governor Making who described the outgoing justice as being incorruptible, promised to further engage her in tapping from her wealth of judicial experiences in order to develop the state.

Earlier, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo said the state would act appropriately on several judicial reforms proposed by justice Esan.

The special session was presided over by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola with legal luminaries in attendance.

Iyabo Adebisi

An Oyo State High Court siting in Ibadan has restrained the 68 sacked local government council chairmen and chairmen of local council development areas, LCDAS, from the forceful and illegal takeover of the council offices across the state.

The court presided over by Justice Moshud Abass granted the four reliefs sought by the lead counsel to the Oyo State Government, Dr. Akin Onigbinde.

Also restrained were the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu and Oyo State APC Chairman, Akin Oke.

The parties and their agents were restrained from taking any step that would tamper with pending the hearing and determination of the motion of notice.

Earlier, following the crisis that ensued yesterday across the local governments in Oyo State, our correspondent visited some council headquarters and reported that there was heavy presence of security operatives.

Justice John Peters of the National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan has adjourned till 19^th February , the hearing on a pending application over the eligibility of a candidate Ademola Babalola and the conduct  of Oyo NUJ election slated for December 18 last year.

  Toyese Owoade, counsel to the eighth defendant, Ademola Babalola, who is an aspirant in the forthcoming NUJ election, informed the court that he was filing a counter affidavit to the motion for injunction out of time and sought for an adjournment to be able to regularise those processes.

However, counsel to the claimant, Mr Oluwadamilare Awokoya objected the application by the defendant, noting that the defendant had been served for over seven days.

  In his ruling, Justice John Peters adjourned the case till nineteenth of next month for hearing on the pending application.

 Speaking to newsmen after the sitting, counsel to the eighth respondent, Toyese Owoade said he sought to regularise some processes before the court.

Also counsel to the claimant, Oluwadamilare Awokoya, told news men that the defendants had been properly served, expressing dissatisfaction at what he described attempt to delay justice.

“The matter today is slated for hearing on application for injunction against of conduct of 2019 election of officers of NUJ. I was surprised to hear that the eighth defendant, Ademola Babalola filled other court processes which I was just informed within the court.

We made the necessary application but the court said we should wait till February. Definitely, it’s a ploy by the defendant to buy time. The wheel of justice may grind slowly but definitely it will attain its result.” He said

 The respondents are Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ, President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzor, National  Secretary of the union, National Executive Council of the union, Chairman NUJ, Oyo, Mr Adewumi Faniran, Chairman Screening Committee Pastor Kayode Akinsola, Chairman Credentials Committee, NUJ Oyo Council, Prince Semiu Azeez, and Ademola Babalola, who is an aspirant in the yet to be conducted election.

 It would be recalled that Oyo NUJ 2019 Credentials Committee had postponed the elections on the grounds that the committee had received a court notice on the election and that the National Secretariat should clear grey arrears in the process of the election, which included voters list and padding of accredited member list ahead of the election.

Ademola babalola in December 2019 forcefully broke into the office of Adewunmi Faniran, incumbent Oyo NUJ chairman on the claims that he had been elected as the chairman.

Meanwhile, Chairman, NUJ, Oyo State Council, Mr Adewumi Faniran in an interview told Radio Nigeria that he would do everything within his power to ensure justice prevailed in Oyo NUJ.

He said over bearing influence, and total disregard for the rule of law was responsible for pockets of crises in the union across the country with reference to Ogun, Enugu councils, as well as Oyo Council of NUJ.

Adedayo Adelowo

The Osun State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Justice Foluke Awolalu as the President, Customary Court of Appeal, Osun State. 

The lawmakers after careful review of the screening and her pedigree as a legal luminary of repute and having found out that no petition followed her appointment, the Speaker, Mr. Timothy Owoeye announced her confirmation.

The Speaker, Mr. Timothy Owoeye advised the new President to discharge her duties without fear or favour, and should through her service add value to the dispensation of justice at the Customary Court of Appeal in the State. 

The House had at its Wednesday, January 8, 2020 plenary screened Justice Foluke Awolalu to confirm her appointment by Governor Gboyega Oyetola in line with section 28 subsection 1 of the 1999 Constitution as the President, Customary Court of Appeal.

In another development, the House dismissed and rejected a purported vote of ‘No Confidence’ passed on the Chairman, Olorunda Local Government, Mr. Muhammed Amisu by other four Council Parliamentarians.

The decision of the House followed the adoption of a report of the Joint House Committees mandated to look into a notice served the Lawmakers by the aggrieved Councilors.

Funmi Adekoya

Judicial officers in Ekiti State have been charged to be impartial and upright in adjudicating cases to further strengthening the tenets of justice delivery.

Governor Kayode Fayemi gave the charge in Ado Ekiti, at the swearing in of former Chief Registrar of Ekiti State High Court, Mr Obafemi Fasanmi as a judge in the state’s Judiciary.

Dr Fayemi, who described that the duty of judicial officers as sensitive, urged them to be firm and upright to overcome challenges associated with their profession.

He equally advised them to be wary of the political class, who might want to influence them to give judgments in their favour as such would undermine the independence of the Judiciary.

The governor told the gathering that his administration would continue to give necessary assistance to the judicial sector to enable it to perform well.. 

Earlier, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr wale Fapohunda said Mr Obafemi Fasanmi’s appointment as a judge followed the recommendation of the National Judicial Council as provided for in the nation’s constitution.

Also, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola said the task before the new judge was enormous and appealed to him to give his best to ensure quick justice delivery..

Responding, the New Judge, Justice Obafemi Fasanmi promised to uphold the oath and allegiance of his office.

Radio Nigeria correspondent, Tope Bamidele reports that the newly sworn in commissioners for Finance, Mr Ayoola owolabi and that of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Professor Bakare Ojo Razak took their oath of secrecy as members of the State Executive Council during its first meeting of the year.

Tope Bamidele

There is the need for synergy between the Executive and Judiciary arm of government.

Stakeholders made the call at services held in Ibadan to mark 2019/2020 Legal Year.

At a lecture, Professor Wole Abass of Islamic and Arabic Study, University of Ibadan, noted that to have effective justice dispensation, the Executive must support the Judiciary.

He also advised the Judiciary to exhibit fear of God while dispensing justice.

Vice Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association Ibadan branch, Mr. Ibrhim Lawal called on clerics to gear their message to sensitizing parent ton training their children.

Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Enginner Rauf Olanitan, promised that the government would provide everything needed for Judiciary autonomy.

Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, promised said courts would ensure quick dispensation of justice and work toward decongestion of prison.

Justice Abimbola explained that National Judicial Commission had approved three more judges for the state to fast track justice delivery.

At the Cathedral of Saint James the Great Okebola Ibadan, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde called for synergy between the legal practitioners and the Executive arm.

Governor Makinde, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bamiwo Adeosun, urged the gown and bench to be transparent and shun corruption.

Earlier, The Archbishop of Ibadan Dioceses, Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Dr Joseph Akinfenwa, urged the legal entities to always cultivate the habit of being truthful and have trust in God at all times.

Archbishop Joseph Akinfenwa called for appointment of more judges to fast track justice dispensation.

The occasion was also attended by some royal fathers

Lilian Ibomor/Sunday Ogunyemi

Security has been beefed up in the Kaduna State capital and environs ahead of proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court.

This comes ahead of a ruling on the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

Justice Darius Khobo will rule on the application filed by the Shiites’ leader who is seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.

There is also tight security at the entrance and exit points of the court complex.

The bail hearing which will take place on Monday, three days after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Federal Government the power to proscribe the group.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and El-Zakzaky’s lawyer, Femi Falana, condemned the government’s action, describing it as illegal.

FRCN Abuja

The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde has directed that all Local Government Authorities and Local Council Development Authorities be dissolved with immediate effect.

A statement signed by the state’s Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka says all Local Government chairmen are to handover to their Heads of Local Government Administration or the most senior directors in their Local Government Areas and Councils.

The statement notes that all boards of parastatals and corporations have also been dissolved.

It adds that the embargo be placed on all local and state government accounts until further directives.

Iyabo Adebisi