The Ogun State Government has firmly denied media reports claiming it was reprimanded by a High Court for its handling of a case involving properties linked to former Governor Senator Gbenga Daniel.
In an official rejoinder issued by the Ministry of Justice, the state labelled the reports as “false and misleading,” asserting that it has actively and competently defended the suit.
The controversy stems from consolidated suits (HCS/371-373/2025) filed by Conference Hotel Ltd & Anor against the Governor of Ogun State and three others. Recent media reports had suggested the state’s default led a judge to extend an interim injunction on the properties.
The State’s Account of the Proceedings
According to the government, the hearing on October 14, 2025, at the High Court 2, Sagamu Judicial Division, presided over by Justice Olayede, was merely for mention.
The state was represented by a team of lawyers from the Ministry of Justice, led by Mrs R.B. Kadiri, Deputy Director of Civil Litigation.
A key point of contention raised by the state was that Senator Daniel’s lead counsel, Mr M.A. Kotoye, SAN, had not designated a representative in Ogun State to accept court documents following the death of his previous agent. Mrs Kadiri informed the court that this had hampered service.
The government also countered allegations made by Kotoye SAN, who reportedly accused state officials of contempt and non-cooperation in settlement talks. Mrs Kadiri responded that it was Senator Daniel and his team who had failed to submit building documents to the appropriate permit authorities as previously directed by the court. Instead, she stated, they filed a “further affidavit with an exhibit labelled as ‘building approval’ unverified by the appropriate agencies.”
No Extension of Injunction, Case Transferred
Crucially, the state clarified that the interim injunction previously granted had “already expired seven days after it was granted and could not be extended.”
The government stated that the judge, Justice Olayede, simply repeated his earlier advice for all parties to maintain the status quo and explore an amicable settlement. He did not grant a new injunction.
With the judge preparing to go on vacation, Mrs Kadiri then applied for the case to be transferred to another judge to ensure an expeditious hearing. The state noted that Mr Kotoye SAN had no response to this application, which the judge subsequently granted. The case was adjourned to January 4, 2026.
Accusations of “Theatrical” Media Campaign
The Ogun State Ministry of Justice challenged Senator Daniel and his legal team to produce any official court record that supports the narrative of a judicial rebuke.
“The report from the Senator’s team, even by its hyperbolic tone and theatrical presentation, should caution discerning members of the public,” the rejoinder stated. “If the Senator is confident in the case he has filed in an actual court of law, why is he so determined to make his case in the court of public opinion? With lies, no less.”
The government urged the public to rely only on official court records and not be “deceived or misled by partisan distortions of court events or sensationalised media reports.”
