The suit filed by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Governments (NULGE), Osun State chapter, against the reinstated council chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), from resuming duties at council secretariats, suffered a setback on Thursday as the presiding judge of an Osun State High Court, Ikirun Division, Justice Isiaka Adeleke, recused himself from the case.

Listed as defendants in the suit marked HIR/5/2025 include APC, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Commandant-General of the NSCDC, and Saheed Onibonokuta, on behalf of the reinstated APC chairmen.

The judge cited a petition authored by the Osun State APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, accusing him of planning to give judgment in favour of NULGE without hearing from all parties involved.

While disclosing that another APC chieftain, Mr. Sunday Akere, publicly alleged him of a move to deliver a judgment to cause chaos in the state, Justice Adeleke averred that the party had successfully set public opinion against the court.
He said, “On April 6, 2025, one Hon. Sunday Akere addressed a press conference wherein he alleged that this court was brought to procure kangaroo judgment to cause chaos in Osun State. Similarly, on April 10, 2025, one Sooko Tajudeen Lawal petitioned the Honourable Chief Judge of Osun, accusing this court of conspiracy with the claimant to procure judgment without hearing from all parties.

“These persons have successfully set public opinion against this court, and in my opinion, justice is rooted in public confidence. And perception at times is stronger than reality. I cannot, despite these allegations of bias, proceed to determine the matter, as any outcome would be perceived as biased. If, at the end, a judgment was delivered in favour of party A, the other would say I was bought to deliver it, and if it favours party B, the other would say I was blackmailed to give the judgment.

“If someone is to be said to be non-partisan, that person is me, as I am accountable to Almighty Allah and the oath of my office. To this end, I shall, in line with the practice of my profession, proceed to disqualify myself from the suit.

“The combined effect of the APC is that I cannot deliver true judgment in this matter; therefore, the file numbered HIK/5/2025 is returned to the Honourable Chief Judge for reassignment.”

It is recalled that in the originating summons, NULGE had, on March 3, 2025, approached the court seeking a declaration and perpetual injunction stopping and restraining APC-reinstated council officials from imposing and interfering with the running and affairs of local government councils across the state.

The court, however, ruled that the defendants/respondents, which include: All Progressives Congress and its elected officials across the council areas, the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General, DSS, Commandant-General, NSCDC, and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State, be served and the report of service brought before him on the next adjourned date.