NBA petitions CP over alleged assault on member by Osun Speaker
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA), Osun State chapter, on Wednesday petitioned the state commissioner of police, Muhammed Abba over alleged assault on its member by Osun House of Assembly, Speaker Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun.
It was reported that Osun Speaker Egbedun single-handedly supervised the alleged assault on a legal practitioner, Muideen Yusuf, who was executing a court judgement.
The NBA, in a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Saheed Abiona, and secretary, Ibrahim Hassan respectively, called for a thorough investigation and prosecution at the competent court.
According to the petition, “On behalf of the entire members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Osogbo Branch, we write to lodge this criminal complaint against the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Wale Egbedun on his deliberate and wilful obstruction of the execution of the judgement of the Osun State High Court and physical assault melted on a Legal Practitioner, Muideen Adeshina Yusuf Esq. on 5th of July, 2024.
“Our said colleague, Muideen Adeshina Yusuf Esq. is one the Counsel for the Gbaemu Royal family of Osogbo and the Plaintiff/Judgment Creditor in Suit NO: HOS/92/2021 PRINCE OLALEKAN SALAMI VS. THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, OSUN STATE & ORS. in which judgement was delivered in 2022.
“The execution was fixed for 5th July, 2024 and as planned the Chief Bailiff of the State High Court with Police Officers approved for him moved to the venue of the execution at Capital Hotel Area, Osogbo-Iwo Road, Osogbo and was carrying out their lawful duties while our colleague was also monitoring the execution of the judgement.
“Curiously, while the execution was still ongoing, Rt. Hon. Egbedun arrived at the scene of the execution in a Gestapo and Commando manner, he commanded the halt of the execution process, he beckoned on the head of the Security Agents and requested that the Police should leave with immediate effect. He informed the Head of the Security that he had spoken with the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
“At this point our counsel who realised that the Rt. Hon. Egbedun had stripped him and the Court Bailiffs off of the security cover provided by the presence of the Security Agents, had to approach him and introduce himself as a lawyer to the Speaker who was present at the scene to monitor the execution and protect the interest of his client.
“The situation became worse and our counsel was left to battle for his life as Hon. Egbedun’s aides and trespassers took advantage of the situation and continue to physically assault our colleague and the Chief Bailiff, Mr. Kosamotu Lateef.
“Hon. Egbedun’s action of deliberate obstruction of execution of valid judgement of the Court of competent jurisdiction can be likened to situation of waging war against the judicial arm of the state and waging war against the state which is criminalised by criminalised under Section 37 (2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 2, Laws of Osun State. It is an act of abus office contrary to the provision of Section 104 of the Criminal Code.
“Furthermore, as a public servant and an authority, Hon. Egbedun is mandated by the provision of Section 287(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) which he sworn to upon elected as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to ensure that the decision of a High Court and all other courts established by the constitution is enforced in any part of the federation contrary to Hon. Egbedun’s action of deliberate obstruction of enforcement of the judgement of a High Court of Osun State.
“Finally the assault meted on our colleague is also criminalised under the criminal code law for which your office is mandated to investigate and any culprit brought before a competent court for prosecution. Hon. Egbedun cannot in any way be above the law and his actions on 5th July, 2024 be subjected to thorough Investigation and subsequently refer to appropriately court for prosecution,” it added.
Reacting, the Spokesperson to the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Olamide Tiamiyu, said that the Speaker is a law abiding citizen and he will submit himself for arrest and prosecution.
He said, “Rt. Hon. Wale Egbedun is a law abiding citizen, he will submit himself for arrest and prosecution. The executive of Osun NBA just left the Speaker office not quite long ago with the lawyer in question, and the matter has been settled.”
