Ademola Adeleke: Mild Drama In Osogbo Court As Judge Chides Journalists Over False Reporting
- Plaintiffs Seek Out Of Court Settlement
- Adeleke/Defendants Demands Case Be Struck Out
The Judge of the Osun State High Court 4, Justice David Oladimeji today warned journalists against false reporting and misrepresentation of court proceedings,affirming that the court did not order the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for the September 22nd election, Senator Ademola Adeleke to present his certificate in six days as reported by the media.
Relatedly,the plaintiffs at today’s sitting made a submission to withdraw the case from court,seeking for out of court settlement,a move opposed by the Adeleke’s team.
The lawyers for the defendants had argued that the court should rather strike out the case instead of entertaining the out of court settlement requested by the plaintiffs.
Speaking at the court during the continuation of the case, Justice Oladimeji said the court was misrepresented in the media report and threatened to send any journalist that misrepresent him again to prison.
The judge was reacting to a protest by one of the counsels in the matter, Mr Edmund Biriomoni who represented the first, second and third respondents, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the PDP and the National Chairman of the party, Chief Uche Secondus.
“Gentlemen of the press, misrepresenting the court is contemptuous. If you misrepresent this court again, the court will send for you and you will be sent to the prison.”
“Instead of reporting erroneously, you can request for the record of what transpired in the court from the court registrar and it will be given to you because it is public document, not secret.”
The counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Olufemi Ayandokun had told the court that his clients, Rasheed Olabayo and Oluwaseun Idowu who are challenging the eligibility of the PDP candidate want to stand down because there are talks and meeting going on among their political leaders.
He said his client are considering amicable out of court settlement and might want to withdraw the case from the court.
The applicants had claimed that Senator Adeleke did not possess Certificate as required by Section 177 (d) of the 1999 constitution and told the court to set aside the July 21st, 2018 primary election which produced him as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Olufemi said he would brief the court when his clients finally resolve on their decision whether to withdraw the case or go ahead.
But the counsel to the respondents said they have filed necessary responses to the claims by the applicants, affirming that Senator Adeleke satisfies constitutional requirements to stand for election into the office of Governor.
Biriomoni said the court should progress in the case until the plaintiffs resolved finally on their decisions.
Also, Mr Taofeeq Olayiwola, counsel to the Chairman of the Osun State Chapter of PDP, Mr Soji Adagunodo also expressed surprise that the applicants want to chicken out of the the case.
The counsel to the plaintiffs said he was acting on the brief of his clients and that he wouldn’t go beyond his brief.
After the arguments, Justice Oladimeji urged the parties explore the option of out of court settlement.
He adjourned the matter till 6th of August.
