The Court of Appeal in Akure, the Sunshine State (Ondo), has deferred its decision on the application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to revive an appeal concerning the removal of its local government chairmen in Osun State.
The case earlier struck out for lack of diligent prosecution, was brought back to the appellate court by the sacked officials, who are asking for a fresh hearing to determine the merits of their claims.
During proceedings, legal representatives of the APC, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), and the Action People’s Party (APP) presented their arguments before the three-member panel chaired by Justice O.F. Omoleye.
Counsel to OSSIEC, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, urged the court to take judicial notice of its earlier judgment delivered in January 2025, which dismissed the APC’s appeal. He contested the APC lawyer’s claim of losing contact with his clients, pointing to other matters in which the same counsel, Muhydeen Adeoye (popularly known as Galadima), had filed briefs within the same period. Adetunbi submitted that the lawyer’s active participation in those cases undermined his claim of communication breakdown.
After hearing from both sides, the panel reserved judgment and stated that a new date would be communicated in due course.
Earlier this year, in February, the dismissed APC chairmen stormed local government secretariats across Osun State with the support of security personnel. The action drew sharp reactions, with many labeling it as a breach of legal procedures and disregard for the rule of law. The move intensified political tension and sparked widespread debate about the legality of the takeover.
