A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned to June 2, 2024, hearing in the suit filed by the Management Council of Lagos Country Club, against the Registered Trustees of the club, over plans to inaugurate an Interim Management Board.
Recall that the court had, on February 23, 2024, restrained the Registered Trustees of the Club from dissolving the Management Council and inaugurating as replacement an Interim Management Board pending the hearing and determination of the interlocutory application filed in the natter.
At yesterday’s hearing on the matter, the trial judge, Justice Lewis Allagoa, ordered the plaintiffs to serve all defendants.
Applicants in the suit are Tunji Amosu (Vice President), Otunba Abimbola Olaniyi (Treasurer), Adetokunbo Ashiru (Council Member), Mr. Osemoje Oselato (Social Secretary), Sir Semoore Badejo (Chairman, Squash Section), Mr Adetayo Adegboye (Chairman, Aerobics Section), Prince Owolabi Mumuni (Chairman, Darts Section), Mr Olufemi Azeez (Chairman Badminton Section) and Mr. Tunde Thanni (Chairman, Scrabble Section).
Defendants are Aare Kola Oyefeso, Chief Allan Williams, Prince Adekunle Adeshina, Chief Oliver Ogbonna and Mr. Akindele Akintoye (registered trustees of the Lagos Country Club).
At the hearing, yesterday, A. B. Ogunsusi appeared for the plaintiffs/applicants, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, announced his appearance in protest for the respondents, while Babatunde Fashanu, SAN, announced his appearance as party seeking to be joined in the suit.
Pinheiro informed the court that there was a sister case of the suit before Justice Daniel Osiagor, and it was on getting to the court that he was told that the case file had been transferred to Justice Lewis-Allagoa’s court.
Counsel to the plaintiffs/applicants, Ogunsusi, told the court that there was need for the defendants to put their house in order.
He also told the court that he had two applications, which were for the substitutes service and for joinder for the parties seeking to be joined in the suit.
Pinheiro informed the court that his clients were not properly served, as the plaintiffs/applicants served the processes at the Administrative office of the club, instead of serving each defendants personally, as prescribed by the law.
However Pinhero undertook to accept service which was obliged by Plaintiffs Counsel. Consequently and by the consent of the parties, the judge adjourned the matter to June 2 for Consolidation Proceedings.
Crisis in the club followed the last election into the Management Council, which saw the President and Secretary, Mr Tunde Bajela, emerging from different camps.
Things got to a head after the Secretary was suspended for alleged misconduct by the Management Council and in defiance of “advice” by the Registered Trustees.
The Registered Trustees moved against the Management Council by declaring it dissolved and replacing it with Interim Management Board in flagrant violation of the club constitution which gives such power only to the EGM.
The Management Council headed to court, and also secured an order against the Trustees.
Meanwhile the Trustees filed a counter suit to declare the Management Council dissolved and its functions taken over by the interim body but the court ordered that both suits be consolidated.
