Justice Ladiran Akintola of Oyo State High Court 9 on Tuesday adjourned the contempt of court and committal case brought against Oyo State Government by the Association of Local Government of Nigeria(ALGON), Oyo State Chapter, to July 30, in order for the counsels to complete the exchange of all court processes.
Justice Akintola adjourned the case after the counsel to the state government, Oluwaseun Dada prayed the court for adjournment to enable the government serve the motion of appeal on the claimants.
During proceedings, counsel to ALGON, Kunle Sobaloju told the court that his clients told him that the governor was planning to appoint caretaker chairmen for the 33 local governments and 35 local council development areas in the state.
He prayed the court to set aside the directive of the governor that dissolved the local government and local council development area authorities in the state and also urged the court to pronounce that both parties should not take action on the matter pending the determination of the application before it because it may serve as prejudice in the determination of the substantive case.
But counsel to the government, Dada, urged the court to discountenance the submissions because it is a speculative and hearsay evidence. He said making such orders would amount to denial of fair hearing to the other parties in the case.
“The court does not act on hearsay and speculative evidence,” he said.
He also told the court about the notice of appeal filed at the appellate court on June 7 for injunction and stay of execution of the judgment delivered on May 6 by Justice Aderonke Aderemi.
Justice Akintola adviced the counsels about acting on speculative reports, warning “we should be careful how we convey our thoughts.”
The judge urged the counsels to ensure the completion of exchange of court processes before the next adjourned date.
Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Speaker of the state House of Assembly are the defendants in the case.
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