ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Government has issued a strong rebuttal against a media report from the camp of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, describing it as a “total falsehood” designed for “cheap political gains.”
The controversy stems from a recent court proceeding concerning a case filed over properties linked to Senator Daniel. A report from Daniel’s media team had claimed the state government’s legal team was “on the receiving end” of a judicial rebuke and that the court extended an interim injunction on the properties due to the state’s default.
In a statement released on Friday, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbangbe (SAN), provided a detailed counter-narrative of the October 14, 2025, hearing at the Sagamu High Court.
According to the government’s account, the presiding judge, Justice Oloyede, announced at the outset that he would not be taking any contentious matters as he was proceeding on vacation. The state’s legal team, led by the Director of Civil Litigation, Mrs. R.B. Kadiri, informed the court that they had filed all necessary documents but were unable to serve them on Daniel’s team due to the death of the lawyer designated to receive them.
The statement accused Daniel’s lead counsel, A.M. Kotoye (SAN), of making “unfounded accusations” against state officials. It further claimed that when Kotoye applied for an extension of an interim injunction, Mrs. Kadiri successfully argued that the order had already expired and could not be extended. The judge instead directed parties to maintain the status quo.
Crucially, the government stated that the court did not express dissatisfaction with its legal team. On the contrary, the judge was reported to have advised Daniel’s counsel “to refrain from using uncouth language against colleagues during proceedings.”
The state government has challenged Senator Daniel and his team to produce verifiable court records to support their media claims.
“The report from the Senator’s team even by its hyperbolic tone and theatrical presentation should caution discerning members of the public,” the statement read. “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 case has been adjourned to January 14, 2026, with the state having applied for the matter to be transferred to another judge for expeditious hearing.
