Segun Atanda/
The Federal High Court in Osogbo has dismissed a lawsuit filed by former local government chairmen from the previous administration in Osun State. The plaintiffs sought to prevent the conduct of local government elections and halt federal allocations to local government areas in the state.
The court not only dismissed the suit but also imposed a ₦200,000 cost against all claimants collectively and a ₦1 million fine personally against their lawyer, Muhyideen Adeoye Galadima, citing unprofessional conduct.
This legal action is part of ongoing disputes following the sacking of local government chairmen and councillors in Osun State.
In November 2022, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo nullified the local government elections conducted on October 15, 2022, leading to the removal of elected officials.
Subsequently, Governor Ademola Adeleke appointed career civil servants to oversee the local government areas, replacing the sacked officials.
In response to the court’s recent decision, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) expressed satisfaction, viewing the dismissal as a validation of the state’s electoral processes. The commission urged all stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring smooth and credible local government elections in the future.
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