Title: The behavior of Governor Makinde condemned by the courts: a lack of respect towards the judicial system
Introduction :
In a unanimous ruling, a three-judge panel sharply criticized Governor Makinde’s behavior, calling it a lack of respect for the country’s justice system. This decision confirms that rendered on April 27 by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which ordered the governor to pay the remaining debt of N4.9 billion. This debt arises from a Supreme Court judgment against Makinde, the State Attorney General, the Treasurer General and four others in an appeal by presidents and councilors elected under the banner of the All Progressives Party ( APC). They were dismissed by Makinde on May 29, 2019, upon taking office.
The judgment of the Court of Appeal:
The judgment of the Court of Appeal upheld the arguments presented by the lawyer for the former council chiefs, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN. The court dismissed the appeal filed by Makinde and six others for lack of merit. Furthermore, the court ordered Makinde and the other appellants to pay N50 million to the former council chiefs, led by Bashorun Mojeed Bosun Ajuwon, as legal costs.
The position of the court:
In his judgment, Justice Danlami Senchi stressed that there was no dispute over the amount constituting the debt. He referred to a letter from the Attorney General of Oyo State dated December 13, 2021, in which the state acknowledged the debt and undertook to pay it within six months. The judge criticized the appellants’ contention that the former council chiefs had to obtain the consent of the Attorney General of Oyo State before initiating foreclosure proceedings. He argued such a requirement would be unfair to the judgment’s creditors and claimed the former council chiefs were justified in taking the necessary legal steps to settle the debt.
The context :
In a judgment delivered on May 7, 2021, the Supreme Court declared that the action of the former council chiefs was lawful and ordered the Oyo State government to calculate and pay their salaries and allowances within three months. However, the state only paid N1.5 billion, leading the judgment’s creditors to initiate attachment proceedings. The FCT High Court subsequently delivered judgment on April 27, ordering Makinde and others to pay the balance of the judgment debt in installments. The Court of Appeal confirmed this decision in its judgment delivered Friday.
Conclusion :
This Court of Appeal ruling highlights Governor Makinde’s lack of respect for the country’s justice system. His disrespectful behavior towards the Supreme Court decision and his attempt to circumvent his financial obligations were condemned by the courts. It is crucial that political leaders respect judicial decisions and act responsibly to ensure the integrity of the justice system and maintain public trust.