Lawmakers in Owo Local Government of Ondo State have written to the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, urging him to withhold any approval for return of suspended Chairman, Tope Omolayo pending the outcome of the suit.
The lawmakers, through their solicitors, Messrs Tolu Babaleye & Co., noted that the dispute surrounding the chairman’s suspension is already before a competent court and should not be undermined by administrative action.
The case, filed at the High Court sitting in Owo, seeks a judicial determination on the legality of the suspension.
A copy of the suit sent to The New Daily Prime through the legislators’ solicitors partly read, “Our clients are before the court in Suit No: HCOW/22/CIV/2026, which concerns the validity of the suspension of Hon. Tope Omolayo.”
The lawmakers who file the suit include 1. Hon. Adedoyin Adeyefa (Leader of the House), representing Iyere Ward 10; Hon. Adekanmi Aliru Olayemi (Deputy Leader of the House), representing Igboroko 1, Ward 2; Hon. Owamoyo Jimoh Tolani (Majority Leader), representing Isuada/Upenmen/Idasen/Obasooto Ward 9
Others include: Hon. Adelabi Folusho (Deputy Majority Leader), representing Isaipen Ward 8; Hon. Oguntolu Olumide (Chief Whip), representing Ipele Ward 7; Hon. (Mrs.) Agbede Adenike, representing Ijebu 2, Ward 5; and Hon. Afolabi Ismaila, representing Ehinogbe Ward 1
The seven councillors of the 11 in the local government legislative arm had backed the indefinite suspension of Omolayo in October 2025 over alleged gross misconduct.
Omolayo was suspended following the resolutions reached by the legislative council under the leadership of speaker Adebayo during its sitting on October 15, 2025.
In the suit filed to halt Omolayo’s reinstatement, the lawmakers warned that allowing the chairman to return before the court delivers judgment could trigger unrest within the council.
“Approving such a move at this stage is capable of causing disorder and disrupting peace within the local government,” the suit added.
The legal representatives further stressed that the matter should be left entirely to the judiciary, urging the attorney general to uphold the rule of law by declining any request for reinstatement until a final verdict is reached.
“We strongly appeal that no approval should be granted for his return until the court has delivered its verdict,” the letter said.
A sourc, who preferred to be anonymous based on the sensitivity of the matter, disclosed to this paper that the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had in a few months back called the parties affected, stating Omolayo’s to be reinstated after a period of some months.
“However, there is no official backing to that. It is obvious that Omolayo would likely want to resume tomorrow, 15th of April — six months after his suspension as chairman of the local government. But, the suspension specifically states indefinite suspension. Hence the latest development from the councillors, writing the Commissioner for Justice,” the source said.
The source further added that any attempt to invade the local government secretariat would be prevented as the lawmakers had at no point converged to lift Omolayo’s suspension.
