Constitutional lawyer Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi to give effect to the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on June 13, 2025, saying it reaffirmed the validity of Federal High Court judgment of November 30, 2022 and remains binding under Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in the case of Osun local government legal tussle.
Ozekhome who faulted a letter authored by his learned colleague, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, SAN, over claims regarding the status of the sacked Local Government Chairmen in Osun State accused the Osun State chapter of the APC of deliberately misrepresenting the ruling in a bid to regain control of the local councils, warning that such conduct undermines both judicial integrity and democratic principles.
In a detailed rejoinder made available to journalists, Prof. Ozekhome described Adegoke’s widely circulated seven-page letter, dated June 26, 2025, as “misleading” and “legally distorted,” particularly in its interpretation of the Court of Appeal judgment in Appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022.
Despite referencing his legal opinion extensively, Ozekhome noted that Adegoke failed to extend the courtesy of sharing the letter with him directly. “That omission speaks volumes,” he remarked.
He clarified that the Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on February 10, 2025, did not affirm the reinstatement of the APC Chairmen and Councillors who were removed following the controversial local government elections of October 15, 2022. According to him, the appellate court merely struck out the PDP’s suit on procedural grounds, having deemed the issues “academic.”
According to him, the court clarified that it did not delve into the merits of the alleged reinstatement and added that any contrary claim is a plain falsehood.
Ozekhome further emphasised the Federal High Court’s judgment in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/103/22, delivered on November 30, 2022, unequivocally sacked the APC officials.
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