Dissolution of statutory boards: Sacked members drag Osun gov, Adeleke to court, demand compensation

The members of the statutory commissions recently dissolved in Osun State have filed a N2bn suit against Governor Ademola Adeleke, challenging their dissolution.

The suit was filed before the National Industrial Court, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Recall that Governor Adeleke had on October 30, 2023 announced the dissolution of some of the statutory boards in the state which included the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission; Osun State Judicial Service Commission; Osun State Civil Service Commission; and Osun State House of Assembly Service Commission.

Also, the state governor, after screening and verification by the Osun State House of Assembly swore in new members of the statutory boards on Monday in Osogbo.

In challenging the governor, members of the dissolved boards speaking through their counsel Muhydeen Adeoye Galadima contended in four separate suits that they were sacked before the completion of their five-year tenure, which ought to end in 2025.

They also urged, among other reliefs, the court to nullify the dissolution and direct Governor Adeleke to stop giving further effect to the purported constitution of the new commissions.

In one of the suits, the sacked OSSIEC Chairman, Segun Oladitan, and six members urged the court to compel the governor to reinstate them to their offices and allow them to serve out their five-year tenure that would end by 2025.

Babafemi Osunro and four others urged the court to declare the dissolution of Osun State Civil Service Commission before 2025, as illegal and demanded reinstatement and payment of N500m damages.

In their suit, Awolola Abiodun and six others challenged the dissolution of the Osun House of Assembly Service Commission, while Adebayo Salmon and three others asked the court to nullify the order of the governor sacking them as members of the Osun State Judicial Service Commission.

The claimants also prayed the court ask the state government to pay damages in the sum of N500 million to them in each suit.

Joined as defendants in the suits are Governor of Osun State, Attorney General of Osun State, Commissioner for Finance of Osun State and Osun State House of Assembly.

The claimants’ counsel, Adeoye, also stated that, “all the parties had been served and we are waiting for the court to pick the hearing date.”