A Lagos State High Court in Ajah, on Tuesday, imposed a fine of N500,000 on the Olumegbon family due to a delay in a suit to determine the traditional ruler of Ajah.
The 52 families of Ajah Community led by their Royal Father, The Baale of Ajah Land, High Chief Ismail Adewale Ojupon with their lead Counsel, Mr Richard Ahonaruogho, (SAN) at the Lagos High Court, Ajah on Tuesday.
A Lagos State High Court in Ajah, on Tuesday, imposed a fine of N500,000 on the Olumegbon family due to a delay in a suit to determine the traditional ruler of Ajah.
The parties involved in the suit are the Olumegbon family in Lagos and the Indigenous people comprising 52 families of the Ajah community.
Mr Alaba Okukpe, Counsel to the Olumegbon Family, said that he has been serving as the family’s legal representative for the past 35 years.
He asserted that the family owed him a total of N170 million in unpaid legal fees for his services in court.
“I have been representing them for over 35 years and the issue of fees has been the bone of contention.
“I told them I could not continue this case, I don’t even mind other counsel taking over of the case, but whoever the court accepts to take over from me must be ready to abide by the ethics of the profession.
However, the new counsel to the Olumegbon family, Mr. Qudus Mumumi, said that he must return to the family and resolve the issue of representation before the next adjournment date.
On his part, counsel to the Ajah community residents, Mr Richard Ahonaruogho, (SAN), urged the court to impose a fine of N1.5 million on the Olumegbon family for stalling the trial in the suit.
Ahonaruogho accused the Olumegbon family of using delay tactics to deny his clients justice, “We have been in this case for a while and we are supposed to have passed the trial stage but the Olumegbon are just using the changes of counsel to delay this case.
“I want the honourable court to fine my opponent N1.5 million for delaying the case to go further,” he said
Justice Olubukola Aigbokhaevbo, while giving her verdict placed a fine of N500,000 to Olumegbon family which ought to be paid before the next adjournment.
“I have to be neutral here, and I don’t have the capacity to determine counsel to handle any case,” she said.
I hereby fine the Olumegbon family N500,000, which must be paid before the next adjournment to prevent further delay.
“And I encourage the lawyers and family members to hold meetings and make progress on the representation,” she said.
The Judge consequently, adjourned the case until March 17th for the Olumegbon family to resolve issues with their Counsels while trial to commence on the 25th.
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