Osun LG Election: Lawyer Warns Oyetola, Files Contempt Charge Against OSIEC, Speaker 

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilesa Branch, Kanmi Ajibola has filed a contempt of court charge against the Chairman and all members of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC).

Also, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye was also included in the charge.

The contents of the letter made available to DAILY POST in which Ajibola cautioned the state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola against releasing funds to conduct, noted that such action shall be considered unwise and criminal misappropriation of public funds.

The lawyer turned activist also revealed that he has notified the OSIEC Chairman, Segun Oladuntan warning him of the dire consequences of proceeding with the proposed October 15th council polls in the state.

Ajibola also reminded the OSIEC boss of the matter regarding the election still pending before the court of law.

In the letter dated, 17th August 2022 and titled SUIT NO: HIL/M.66/17 KANMI AJIBOLA VERSUS GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE & ORS, the lawyer advised the OSIEC boss on the need to stay further action on the poll and to submit to the rule of law by not going into illegality.

"In the referred suit, an injunctive application was filed on the 2nd day of August 2022, and it was served immediately on all the defendants, bringing the pendency of same to their notice

“It is a trite position of the Law that, once the application for enforcement of legal right is pending before a competent Court, the parties in the case cannot take a step in respect of the subject matter in Court, to do so will be contemptuous.

“The legal effect of this is that all parties involved shall maintain status quo pending the determination of the instant case. Surprisingly and extremely unexpectedly, after being served with the Court’s processes in this Suit, the OSIEC is taking steps to conduct the LG election on the 15th day of October 2022.

“It is quite unfortunate that these types of steps are taken to rubbish the course of justice and rule of law are coming forth from the government organisation.

“It is good to inform you that, in the circumstances of the pendency of this suit, it is illegal for the OSIEC to conduct the planned election on the 15th day of October 2022. Doing this will be illegality and criminal misappropriation of public funds. This can lead to the prosecution of the erring perpetrators in the court of law."