Court case

In a dramatic development in the contentious Kwara State NUJ election saga, Saka Laaro, one of the claimants challenging NUJ Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed Ahmed’s election, reportedly collapsed at the office of the lawyer representing the petitioners in the case.

According to eyewitness accounts, Ahmed stormed the chambers of Issa Manzuma, the lawyer handling the case with Laaro unannounced without prior notice.

It is alleged that Ahmed attempted to pressurize Laaro to withdraw the suit contesting his re-election as Kwara NUJ Chairman. However, upon entering lawyer’s office, Laaro suddenly collapsed.

He was immediately rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

It would be recalled that Dare Akogun, a former Chairman of Sobi FM Chapel under the Kwara NUJ Council had alleged Abdullahi Olesin, Kwara correspondent for Leadership Newspapers, of interference in the case, reportedly pressuring co-claimants to withdraw the suit through meetings with their legal representatives and alleged blackmail tactics, despite not being involved in the case.

The July 31st 2024 NUJ election in Kwara State has been allegedly marked by controversy, with allegations of voter manipulation and procedural misconduct at the center of the dispute.

Laaro, along with co-petitioner Fadeyi Babajide, had claimed that delegate lists were altered by the National NUJ Secretariat without proper consultation, undermining the election’s integrity.

Manzuma, counsel to the claimants, expressed surprise at the unplanned visit, stating that Ahmed’s arrival was unexpected without prior appointment.

Before he could address the purpose of their visit, he said, Laaro collapsed, requiring immediate medical attention.

This incident raises fresh concerns about the extent of the alleged pressure being applied to challengers in the case and its potential health consequences for those involved, adding another layer of tension to an already controversial election dispute.

The people of Iworoko-Ekiti, in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, at the weekend, took to the streets to demand the selection and appointment of new traditional ruler for the community.

The stool of Alaworoko of Iworoko-Ekiti became vacant following the death of Oba Michael Olufemi Aladejana on January 16, 2020.

The people, comprising youths and the aged, with placards bearing different inscriptions, expressed regret over the delay in the appointment of the new monarch.

They said the development was having adverse negative effect on the community, with increase in death of youths and lack of meaningful progress.

They accused one of the lineages within the ruling house of frustrating the appointment of new traditional ruler with the lingering court cases, and gave the affected family fourteen days ultimatum to withdraw the suit.

The peaceful demonstration affected vehicular movement as many motorists going to Ifaki-Ekiti and those approaching Ado-Ekiti were left stranded for several hours.

Some of the placards read, ‘All we are saying give us our king’ ; No to court case, we need our Oba’ ; Iworoko-Ekiti appreciate the state govt in selection process’ among others.

Addressing newsmen during the protest at the market square, the community’s youth leader, Emmanuel Ogunturoti said frantic efforts by the leaders in the community to prevail on the family to discontinue the law suit have been constantly ignored.

He lauded the roles being played by the State government to ensure that peace and fairness reigned supreme in the selection process, adding that no single family can lord itself over other ruling lineages.

According to him, “We are giving them 14 days to withdraw the suit. After the ultimatum, if the family fails to do the needful, we will mobilise ourselves against them and that might not be palatable.”

Also speaking, the President of Iworoko Progressive Union (IPU) Mr Taju Fatayo emphasized the need for the suit, which is currently before the Appeal Court, to be discontinued.

Kwara NUJ election dispute: Claimant collapses in lawyer’s office amid pressure from defendants to drop case

Royal tussle: Ekiti Community gives parties 14-day ultimatum to withdraw court cases