Magistrates court judges to go on strike in Osun over Oluwo of Iwo
- Judges presiding over magistrate courts in Osun state are embarking on an industrial action because they have been disrespected by a monarch
- The Oluwo f Iwo is facing charges of engaging in international fraud as well as being an ex-convict, but he has refused to honour the court
For refusing to honour a court summon even with the declaration of a warrant against him, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Addulrasheed Akanbi, has been declared as the monarch bigger than the law.
The monarch has refused to honour a suit against him and this has prompted the magistrates court judges to decide on embarking on strike.
The Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Osun state branch has now threatened to embark on strike if the Oluwo refuses to appear before a magistrates’ court in Osogbo, the capital of Osun state.
Oba Akanbi was dragged to a magistrates’ court by the Oluwo of Iwo Oke, Oba Kadiri Adeoye, over alleged engagement in internet fraud and being an ex-convict before his coronation as a traditional ruler, among other accusations.
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Twice the magistrate, Olusola Aluko, has issued a bench warrant on Oba Akanbi ordering the state commissioner of police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, to arrest and produce the monarch in court.
However, the monarch has reportedly refused to honour the court.
The Nigerian Tribune reports that Osun state branch of Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, on Thursday, January 5 vowed to embark on an industrial action.
The report said the association made its decision known through a letter forwarded to Osun state Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo and the chief registrar, Mr Lawrence O Arojo.
“We wish to humbly draw your lordship’s attention to the series of events that have been evolving recently in relation to our career and safety of our lives,” the letter dated January 4, 2017 and entitled ‘Threat to Magisterial Bench of Osun’, read.
“Of particular importance is the case involving Oba Kadiri Olatunde Adeoye 11 (Oluwo of Iwo Oke) and Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Commissioner of Police, Osun State (MIW/MISC.6/2016), which is currently being heard before E. Olusola of Chief Magistrates’ Court 2, Osogbo.
“At Chief Magistrates’ Court 2, Osogbo, the first respondent, Oluwo of Iwo, refused to appear before court on four occasions despite an order of the court for him to appear. A bench warrant was, therefore, issued against him, the fourth time the matter was heard.
“Instead of the Oluwo of Iwo appearing in court or the police effect his arrest, the Oluwo of Iwo, using various media, proceeded to cast aspersions on the character and integrity of the magistrate and the judiciary at large.
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“We humbly state that with prevalent threat to the security of magistrates, as exemplified in the events of Iwo and Osogbo, we consider our lives unsafe and may be unable to continue sitting in our various stations,” the letter signed by its chairman, FA Sodamade and secretary, FI Omisade, said adding that the magistrate was almost attacked by miscreants before she was rescued and escorted to Ogbaagba by the police and prison officers.
The report said the chief registrar of the state high court, Mr Lawrence Arojo, has petitioned the commissioner of police calling for the investigation and arrest of those who stormed the court premises to drop leaflets, threatening the life of Magistrate Olusola Aluko handling the case of the Oluwo.
“In the early morning of Wednesday, January 4, 2017, some leaflets/flyers numbering about 20, were brought to our attention by one of the security officers serving at the state high court complex.
“The leaflets contained statements to the effect that a sitting magistrate of the Osogbo Magistrate District, Mr EO Aluko, should distance himself from performing his duties as it relates to the hearing and determination of a contempt proceeding preferred against a particular ruler, now pending in His Lordship’s court. The maker of the said document, having warned the magistrate, went further to say that ‘The guy is too young to die’,” the report said.
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