The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to respect the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which restored local government officials removed in 2022.

The controversy stems from the 2022 local government elections held under the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, which were later nullified by the Federal High Court in Osogbo just days before Adeleke assumed office.

Following the ruling, Adeleke removed the elected officials and replaced them with caretaker committees.

In a statement released on Thursday night, Fagbemi addressed concerns raised by Adeleke over the ruling, clarifying its legal implications and advising against any actions that may violate the constitution

Fagbemi said It has become necessary to issue this public notice to remove doubts, fears, and uncertainties created by misrepresentations and disinformation concerning the legal effect of the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

Putting matters in proper context, the AGF said the event that led to the two judgments was that during the currency of the term of the former Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, election was held into all the local governments of Osun State and winners were sworn in.

According to him, a few days before the swearing-in of Governor Adeleke, the Federal High Court Osogbo delivered the judgment referred to above in which it nullified the election of the Local Government elected officials and removed them from office. He disclosed that as soon as Governor Adeleke assumed office a few days after the judgment, he issued an executive order for the physical removal of the elected officials and replaced them with caretaker appointees, “the AGF added.

Speaking further, he noted that the ruling was subsequently challenged by the All Progressives Congress, leading to the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the Federal High Court’s judgment, thereby reinstating the removed officials.

The AGF said the judgment of the Court of Appeal had by implication effectively restored the elected Local Government officials removed by the Federal High Court, back to their offices. He also noted that despite the Court of Appeal’s judgment, Adeleke has maintained plans to conduct fresh local government elections on February 22, 2025.

Therefore, Fagbemi cautioned against this move, warning that it would be unconstitutional. The Attorney General also referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling that reaffirmed the autonomy of local governments, stressing that Adeleke must ensure a smooth and lawful transition following the constitutional three-year tenure.

Fagbemi concluded by expressing his willingness to engage in dialogue with the governor to ensure peace and stability in Osun State.