Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, has faulted a recent legal opinion by professional colleague, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), over the status of the sacked local government chairmen in Osun State, describing the claims as “legally distorted” and “grossly misleading.”
In a detailed rejoinder made available to journalists on Wednesday, July 2, Ozekhome accused Adegoke of misrepresenting the Court of Appeal’s judgment in Appeal No: CA/AK/270/2022, which has sparked fresh political controversy in the state.
He stressed that the court made it clear that it did not delve into the merits of the alleged reinstatement.
“Any contrary claim is plainly false,” Ozekhome stated.
Referencing the February 10, 2025 ruling of the appellate court, Ozekhome insisted that the judgment did not affirm the reinstatement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councilors removed after the contentious local government elections held on October 15, 2022.
Instead, he said the court struck out the PDP’s appeal on procedural grounds, declaring the issues raised as academic.
“Adegoke’s seven-page letter dated June 26, 2025, is misleading. It references my opinion but failed to extend me the courtesy of direct communication. That omission speaks volumes,” Ozekhome added.
APC Attempting to Twist Judgment
The SAN further accused the Osun APC of deliberately misinterpreting the ruling in a bid to reclaim control of local councils in the state.
“They continue to parade themselves falsely as reinstated officials despite the clear legal position. Such conduct undermines the rule of law and our democratic institutions,” Ozekhome warned.
He highlighted that the Federal High Court judgment in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/103/22, delivered on November 30, 2022, had unequivocally sacked the APC officials.
Ozekhome noted that the Court of Appeal later dismissed the APC’s appeal on January 13, 2025, and again rejected their application for relisting on June 13, 2025.
“Even after fresh elections were conducted on February 22, 2025, they still lay false claim to power,” he said.
Ozekhome referenced a separate suit filed by the Action Peoples Party (APP), which successfully nullified the October 2022 APC-led local elections.
He stressed that the ruling remains binding under Section 287 (3) of the 1999 Constitution. He accused Adegoke of attempting to mislead the Attorney-General of the Federation and other authorities with a distorted version of court proceedings.
“It is disheartening when senior members of the Bar resort to twisting judicial pronouncements for political ends,” Ozekhome lamented.
Toward the end of his rejoinder, Ozekhome urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to:
- Enforce the Court of Appeal ruling of June 13, 2025, which affirmed the High Court’s decision of November 2022.
- Instruct the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to evict illegal occupants from local government secretariats in Osun State, who are masquerading as APC officials.
- Recognise and give full legal backing to the PDP Chairmen and Councillors elected on February 22, 2025, in accordance with the OSSIEC notice and the Electoral Act 2022.
- Reject all misleading correspondence aimed at resurrecting a dismissed appeal or destabilising local governance in Osun State.
- Uphold the rule of law, constitutionalism, and democratic principles by ensuring that binding court decisions are implemented.
No Court Ordered Reinstatement – Ozekhome
Ozekhome further challenged Adegoke and the APC to produce any section of the Court of Appeal judgment where reinstatement of the sacked officials was explicitly granted.
“They cannot. No such order exists. The record is clear,” Ozekhome maintained.
He concluded by expressing confidence in the Attorney-General’s respect for the Constitution and called for swift action to restore public trust in the legal and democratic process.