Ogun NUJ Crisis: Court Strikes Out Suit Against Former Ogun CP Ajogun, Remi Olugbenro, Awards Cost Against Ewuoso, Oduntan

ABEOKUTA – The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta on Monday, October 25, 2021, has struck out the Fundamental Human right suit number FHC/AB/FHR/33/22 and FHC/AB/FHR/34/21, filed by Mr. Ayokunle Ewuosho and Mr. Sina Oduntan.

The suit which was filed against the former Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Ajogun and Mrs. Oluremi Olugbenro was to challenge Mr. Ewuosho and Mr. Oduntan arrest over their assault on female journalists at Iwe-Iroyin in February 2021.

In her ruling over the case, the presiding Judge, Justice Remi Oguntoyinbo awarded the cost of Forty Thousand Naira against each of the applicants as cost for bringing the second respondent, Mrs. Olugbenro to court.

Mr. Deji Eniiseyin, the counsel to the first and second applicants (Mr. Ayokunle Ewuosho and Mr. Sina Oduntan) who was conspicuously absent in the court, having been served with counter affidavit had filed an application to discontinue with the case, stating that the matter has been settled amicably.

While reacting to the assertion that the matter had been settled, Mr. Gani Ogunsanwo, counsel to Mrs. Oluremi Olugbenro however informed the court that he was not aware of any settlement. He then asked the court to award costs against each of the applicants if the court was inclined to grant the application for withdrawal.

Mr. Ogunsanwo then pleaded that the judge should award Fifty Thousand Naira as cost against each of the applicants for bringing his client to the court.

The counsel to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, had also informed the court that he was misled that the applicants had filed applications to discontinue the suit.

Justice Oguntoyinbo in her ruling on the matter, agreed that the applicants has the right to discontinue with the matter, but pointed out that they can not run away from its liabilities.

She stated that the second respondent, (Mrs. Oluremi Olugbenro) having filed the necessary counter affidavits before the court has joined issues in law and was entitled to cost.

Justice Remi Oguntoyinbo then awarded the cost of Forty Thousand Naira against Mr. Ayokunle Ewuosho, the first applicant and the sum of Forty Thousand Naira against Mr. Sina Oduntan, the second applicant.

The third suit which was also filed by Mr. Abiodun Taiwo, but earlier slated for hearing on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 was however adjourned to December 2, 2021 at the same Federal High Court, Abeokuta.