Ondo LG Caretaker Committees: Parties opt for out-of-court settlement

A High Court in Akure presided over by Hon Justice Yemi Fasanmi has on Tuesday, adjourned the case challenging the appointment of caretaker committees for local governments in Ondo State.

The followed the request of the parties to explore mutual settlement of the issues in controversy between them and to find a political solution.

On November 10, 2023, the Peoples Democratic Party sued Ondo State Government over the appointment of caretaker  committees to run the affairs of local governments in the State. On December 21, 2023, the court granted an order of injunction restraining the government from inaugurating or running the affairs of local governments through the caretaker committees.

When the case came up for hearing today, the Attorney-General of Ondo State, Sir Charles Titiloye withdrew his appearance for the 1st to 3rd defendants, being the Governor of Ondo State and the Ondo State House of Assembly. Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN,  then announced his appearance for the Governor while Mr Femi Emodamori informed the court that he had filed a Notice of Change of Counsel dated January 2, 2024, to represent the  Ondo State House of Assembly.

Thereafter, Adegboruwa SAN, leading Mr Allen Sowore and Mr Fade Ojamomi, informed the court that he had just been briefed on  the case. Moreover, he stated that he had discussed with the claimant and the other defendants through their respective counsel on the need to work out a political solution to the case. He told the court that the Governor was interested in focusing on the peace and development of Ondo State and would do his best to avoid any controversy in governance.

Titiloye confirmed the submission of Mr Adegboruwa, SAN as the position of the government while counsel representing the claimant, (PDP) Mr Oyewole Awofade, did not object to the submissions stating that the claimant was  also interested in peaceful resolution of the case.

Counsel to the Ondo State House of Assembly, Emodamori also corroborated the position of Adegboruwa.

After listening to counsel to the parties, the court adjourned the case to January 24, 2024 for report of settlement.