A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned hearing of the suit on the leadership dispute in Lagos Country Club to June 2, 2024. The suit was filed by the Management Council of the club against the Registered Trustees over their plan to inaugurate an Interim Management Committee to replace the council.
The Judge’s decision followed an application for adjournment by the Defence counsel, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), to enable the defendants file responses to the plaintiffs’ originating summons and motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/301/2024, the president of the club and nine others had on February 23, 2024 in an ex-parte motion filed by their counsel, A. B. Ogunsusi, obtained an interim injunction restraining the defendants from dissolving the Club’s Management Council.
At the March 14, 2024 hearing, the court also restrained the defendants from inaugurating a caretaker committee as replacement pending the hearing and determination of the interlocutory application.
Dr. Pinheiro told the court that the defendants had not been served with any originating (or interlocutory) processes filed in the suit.
He also informed the court of the pendency of a related suit marked FHC/L/CA/321/2024, between the Registered Trustees of the Club v. Seyi Adewunmi & 18 Ors., and the re-assignment of the said suit to the court following his application.
He requested to bring a formal application for consolidation of the suit with the plaintiffs’ suit, following re-assignment of the former suit to Justice Lewis-Allagoa.
Though counsel to the plaintiffs, Ogunsusi, argued that the defendants had been served, the court examined its records and confirmed that the defendants had not been served with any processes: the said purported service had been undertaken on the General Manager of Lagos Country Club and not the defendants as alleged.
Pinheiro argued that the defendants were sued in their individual names and ought to be served personally.
Applicants in the suit are: Messrs Oluseyi Adewumi (President), Tunji Amosu (Vice President), Abimbola Olaniyi (Treasurer), Adetokunbo Ashiru (Council Member), Osemoje Oselato (Social Secretary), Semoore Badejo (Chairman Squash), Adetayo Adegboye Chairman Aerobics), Owolabi Mumuni (Chairman Darts), Olufemi Azeez (Chairman Badminton), Tunde Thani, (Chairman Scrabble)
Defendants are the Trustees: Aare Kola Oyefeso, Chief Allan Williams, Prince Adekunle Adesina, Chief Oliver Ogbonna and Akindele Akintoye.