Court Adjourns Osun LG Tenure Suit to November 27
A Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, on Monday fixed November 27, 2025, for the hearing of a suit challenging the validity of the February 22 local government election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC).
The case, filed by Onibonokuta Saheed and seven others on behalf of chairmen and councillors elected in the October 15, 2022, local government poll, seeks a judicial interpretation of their tenure and the legality of the subsequent election held earlier this year.
The claimants, all elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, are asking the court to determine whether OSSIEC had the authority to conduct a new election while their tenure was still running. They also want the court to affirm their right to a three-year term beginning in February 2025.
The suit, marked FHC/OS/CS/147/2025, lists the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of Osun State, the Osun State Government, the Osun State House of Assembly, and OSSIEC as defendants.
At Monday’s proceedings, trial judge, Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi said the court would give the matter accelerated hearing due to its political nature.
Counsel to the claimants, Muhydeen Adeoye, moved a motion seeking an order restraining the defendants from removing the claimants from office while the substantive suit remains pending.
However, defence counsel F. Labo-Popoola, Rachael Ojomi, and J.A. Ayanyemi argued that they were still within the statutory period to file their responses to the originating summons.
After reviewing the case file, Justice Demi-Ajayi observed that there was no proof of service on the first and second defendants.
“I observed that this is a political matter; therefore, I would want it to be heard expeditiously,” the judge said.
She directed the claimants’ counsel to ensure proper service of all court processes on the defendants and subsequently adjourned the matter to November 27, 2025, for hearing.
