Three first-class monarchs in Ondo State have raised concerns over the delay by the Appeal Court in releasing the Certified True Copy (CTC) of its judgment, which confirmed the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, as the Prescribed Authority on chieftaincy matters in Akure North and Akure South council areas.
The three traditional rulers namely: the Oloba of Obaile, the Okiti of Iju and Ogbolu of Itaogbolu, rejected the judgement of the court of appeal, vowing to challenge the verdict at the Supreme Court but say the delay in obtaining the CTC is obstructing their appeal process.
They however petitioned the President of the Appeal Court, urging intervention to ensure the prompt release of the judgment copy to enable their lawyers file the appeal at the Apex court within the stipulated time allowed by the law.
The ruling was delivered on February 14, 2025, yet as of March 4, 2025, the Head of Litigation at the court has not provided the document.
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The monarchs’ legal team, led by Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, through Barr. Femi Emodamori, had earlier sent a formal reminder requesting the document’s release.
“It has now been 19 days since the judgment, whereas the law requires the CTC to be issued within seven days,” the monarchs lamented.
In the letter dated February 26, 2025, addressed to the Head of Litigation, Barr. Femi Emmanuel Emodamori reiterated: “REQUEST FOR A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DELIVERED ON 14TH FEBRUARY, 2025: We are part of the Legal team led by Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN as counsel for the Appellants in the above case, and we have the instruction of the lead Counsel to write this letter.
“The appeal was dismissed in a judgment delivered on 14th February 2025. Regrettably, till date, eleven days after the delivery of the judgment, we have not been given a copy of the judgment, despite series of telephone calls by the undersigned Counsel to the Head of Litigation of the Court to demand for same and his initial assurance that it would be available within the constitutionally-stipulated period of seven days.
“Our inability to obtain a copy of the judgment has been preventing us from perfecting the instruction of our clients to take some immediate steps concerning the matter.
“We would therefore appreciate it if a Certified True Copy of the judgment is released to us to enable us activate our clients’ instruction. Please accept our highest regards.”
The monarchs urged the Appeal Court to expedite the release of the document to allow them to exercise their legal rights within the stipulated time frame.
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