The Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday disqualified a lawyer, Michael Lana, from representing the Caretaker Committee of the Oyo State National Union of Road Transport Workers in a suit filed against the union by Alhaji Lateef Akinsola,
Akinsola’s counsel, Abiodun Amole, told the court that Lana had earlier represented Akinsola, also known as “Tokyo,” in a sister case earlier decided before the same court by retired Justice Jonathan Shakaraoh.
“Lana appeared for him in the case and he cannot now appear against him. He is privy to this case and this would not be in our favour,” Amole said.
But Lana, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the administration of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, denied ever representing Akinsola.
He said: “My clients were once on the same side with Akinsola as he was then their chairman.
“We won the case in which the court held that the state governor should reinstate the sacked administration of the union.
“Akinsola, thereafter, removed his members and this resulted into violence.
“Subsequently, the union was proscribed and a caretaker committee was appointed made up Akinsola’s former men.”
Amole, however, presented a copy of a letter emanating from Lana, in which it was implied that Akinsola was among his clients.
Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo, however, observed that Lana must have had an insight of the on-going case.
The Judge said: “You have the facts and this would put the plaintiff at a disadvantaged position.”
Lana, thereafter, withdrew his representation and the court ruled for a new counsel to take up the brief.
Obaseki-Adejumo said: “It is more honourable to pass on the case and I commend the honourable withdrawal of the counsel.
“I shall be adjourning the case till September 30 in order for the defence to look for another counsel to take up the brief.”
Akinsola had sued the 14-man committee set up by the state government for contempt of the court judgment reinstating him as the chairman of the union.
Speaking with NAN after the proceedings, Akinsola said that he was pleased with the disqualification of the counsel.
He said: “It is unethical for Lana, a former Commissioner for Justice in the state to have appeared for us, only to turn round and appear for another party on the same issue.
“Unlike the general belief that Tokyo is associated with violence, we are law abiding citizens seeking justice against illegalities.
“It was illegal for the government to have set up a caretaker committee against the decision of the Federal High Court, Ibadan and the National Industrial Court, Lagos, which ruled in our favour.”
Akinsola, supported by his Chief of Staff, Chief Yomi Ogunsakin, however, advised his supporters to be law abiding and await the final decision of the court on the matter.
“We strongly believe that the court is the last hope of the common man,” he said.
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