The High Court of Ogun State has ruled that Gov. Dapo Abiodun cannot be held responsible for the suspension of the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Hon. Wale Adedayo, dismissing all claims linking the governor to the controversy.
Justice Catherine Ogunsanya delivered the judgment on Wednesday in suit HCJ/53/2025 filed by Adedayo against the governor and two others after he claimed that Abiodun masterminded his suspension from office.
The court held that the allegation was not supported by any credible evidence.
Adedayo had argued that the Secretary to the State Government wrote a petition against him to the Commissioner of Police on the governor’s instruction and that the petition led to a criminal charge.
He hinged the move on what he described as political differences between him and the governor.
Justice Ogunsanya ruled that there was no connection between the petition and the alleged political differences.
She upheld the argument of the governor’s counsel, Adekunle Manual, who appeared with P. M. Sebiomo, that nothing placed before the court showed that Abiodun directed or influenced the petition.
The court also stated that the local government and its legislative council operate as separate entities, distinct from the governor. On that basis, the governor could not be held accountable for their decisions, actions or inactions.
The judge added that under the Ogun State Local Government Law, only the governor is empowered to suspend a chairman for a period of three months, a step Gov. Abiodun did not take.
While noting that the process leading to Adedayo’s removal was illegal, null and void, Justice Ogunsanya stressed that his tenure had already expired and therefore could not be restored.
The court also observed that Adedayo made no claim for salaries during the period of his suspension, making it impossible to order any such payment.
However, the court awarded N30m in general damages to the former chairman.
