The controversy over the leadership crisis rocking local government councils in Osun has taken a new dimension as the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) filed a suit before an Osun State High Court, Ikirun Division, against the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Osun State Commissioner of Police.

According to a copy of the originating summons dated February 28, obtained by The Guardian on Wednesday, other defendants listed in the suit include Onibonokuta Saheed, Ayegbayo Gbolahan Muyiwa, Olayera Elugbaju, Adegbite Mufutau, Balogun Olanrewaju, Adeyemi Fatai Taye, Ishola Kamoli Adeniyi, and Adeyemi Elliot.

The originating summons issued a 21-day ultimatum to the defendants to enter an appearance before the court after the service of the court process.

In the suit, NULGE is seeking, among other reliefs: a declaration of this Honourable Court that the 1st – 9th defendants, having been removed from office as chairmen and councilors of the Local Government Councils in Osun State by a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on the 30th day of November 2022, cannot in any way whatsoever impose themselves as chairmen and councilors of the 30 Local Government Councils and interfere with the running and operations of all the said 30 local government councils of Osun State unless and until the said judgment is set aside by a higher court.

A declaration of this Honourable Court that the 10th and 11th defendants, being persons and authorities bound to give effect to every decision of this Honourable Court and of all superior courts of record in Nigeria by virtue of Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and whose duty is to ensure the sustenance of peace in Osun State, have the constitutional duty to ensure that all persons and authorities, including the 1st – 9th defendants, their allies, privies, agents, or anybody acting through them or in their stead, do not interfere or cause any interference with the running and operations of all the 30 Local Government Councils of Osun State and/or attempt to continue presenting themselves as chairmen and councilors of all the local governments in Osun State except if the said judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/103/2022 delivered on November 30, 2022, is set aside by a higher court.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st–9th defendants from assuming and/or taking any step whatsoever towards assuming office as chairmen and/or councilors of the Local Government Councils in Osun State and interfering in any way whatsoever with the running and operations of all the 30 Local Government Councils of Osun State.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st–9th defendants from parading or further parading themselves as chairmen and councilors of the 30 Local Government Councils in Osun State.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 10th and 11th defendants, as well as their men and officers, from assisting, aiding, or taking any step whatsoever in helping the 1st–9th defendants assume office as chairmen and/or councilors of the Local Government Councils in Osun State and interfering with the running and operations of all the 30 Local Government Councils of Osun State.

The matter was adjourned to April 17 for the hearing of the suit, with substituted service granted accordingly.