Renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, has faulted a letter authored by his learned colleague, Mr Kunle Adegoke, SAN, over claims regarding the status of the sacked local government chairmen in Osun State.

In a detailed rejoinder made available to journalists, Ozekhome described Adegoke’s widely circulated seven-page letter, dated June 26, 2025, as “misleading” and “legally distorted,” particularly in its interpretation of the Court of Appeal judgment in Appeal No: CA/AK/270/2022.

Ozekhome noted that Adegoke failed to extend the courtesy of sharing the letter with him directly, despite referencing his legal opinion extensively.

“That omission speaks volumes,” he remarked.

He clarified that the Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on February 10, 2025, did not affirm the reinstatement of the APC chairmen and councilors, who were removed following the controversial local government elections of October 15, 2022. According to him, the appellate court merely struck out the PDP’s suit on procedural grounds, having deemed the issues “academic.”

“The court made it clear that it did not delve into the merits of the alleged reinstatement. Any contrary claim is plainly false,” Ozekhome stated.
He accused the Osun State chapter of the APC of deliberately misrepresenting the ruling in a bid to regain control of the local councils, warning that such conduct undermined both judicial integrity and democratic principles.

Ozekhome further emphasised that the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/OS/CS/103/22, delivered on November 30, 2022, had unequivocally sacked the APC officials, adding that all attempts to re-litigate or overturn that judgment had failed.

He pointed out that the Court of Appeal dismissed the APC’s appeal on January 13, 2025, for lack of diligent prosecution and subsequently rejected their application for relisting on June 13, 2025.