National Industrial Court Denies Ordering Reinstatement Of Suspended Lagos Assembly Clerk, Adjourns To March 18
The court also criticised Onafeko for resorting to self-help and misinterpreting its directives.
The National Industrial Court (NIC) has clarified that it did not order the reinstatement of the suspended Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, contrary to media reports.
The court also criticised Onafeko for resorting to self-help and misinterpreting its directives.
The clarification came during the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
The court expressed surprise at Onafeko’s actions, which included forcefully taking over the office of the acting Clerk, Taiwo Ottun, and issuing press releases claiming he had been reinstated by the court.
Reports had earlier indicated that Onafeko stormed the Assembly complex and assumed office, citing a court order.
However, Justice M.N. Esowe of the NIC stated that the court had only directed both parties to maintain peace and refrain from actions that could disrupt the state’s peace pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. O.O. Oniyire, representing the Lagos State House of Assembly, informed the court that Onafeko had broken down doors to access the acting Clerk’s office and used operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police to harass and intimidate Ottun.
Oniyire also accused Onafeko of spreading false information about his reinstatement.
The court had earlier heard an ex-parte application on February 20, 2025, where Onafeko sought to restrain the defendants.
However, the court declined to grant the application due to its voluminous nature and instead ordered both parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
Justice Esowe reiterated that the court’s directive was clear: “Both parties shall maintain the peace and status quo ante bellum pending the hearing of the motion on notice.”
The court adjourned the case to March 18, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has maintained that Onafeko’s actions were unlawful and in contempt of the court’s order.
