Judiciary
AN Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has ordered parties in the suit against the selection of the new Apetu of Ipetumodu to maintain status quo ante pending the determination of the suit filed before the court.
Justice Kudirat Akano granted the preservative order on Monday following an application brought before the court by Mr. Yemi Abiona, who is the counsel for the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs: Prince Julius Abiodun Ayoola and Prince Omogbolahan Ayoola, had, on behalf of the Elewa Royal Family, filed a suit in the court and joined as defenders: Osun State Governor; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Ife North Local Government and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The kingmakers and a prince who were also joined as defenders are: Chief Afolabi Adedeji, Chief Adesoye Babalola, Chief Titus Olanrewaju, Chief Kehinde Orosanya and Prince Gbenga Oloyede.
The plaintiffs’ counsel told the court that the fourth defendant (Ife North LG) despite being served with the originating process and motion for interlocutory injunction, still went ahead to request the Ooni to give consent to the purported selection of Oloyede.
Abiona, while making the application said, “I humbly apply that the court should grant a preservative order that parties should maintain status quo, most especially the 4th and 5th respondents.
“The purpose of the preservative order is to maintain status quo and the state has nothing to lose if the order is granted.”
But counsel for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants: Mr. Jide Obisakin, while opposing the preservative application said the order was aimed at ambushing the defendants in the suit.
Obisakin consequently urged the judge to dismiss the plaintiffs’ application in the interest of justice.
Justice Akano in her ruling said she found merit in the application and the argument in support of it and thereby granted the preservative order and ordered that parties in the suit should maintain status quo ante pending the determination of the motion on notice. – Punch
– Aug. 13, 2018 @ 16:15 GMT |
Tags: court orders Aregbesola Ooni Stay action on selection of Apetu
