Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has granted the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) permission to serve court processes on four Ogun State Commissioners, as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The order, issued by Justice A.A. Okeke directed that the originating summons in the suit marked FHC/AB/CS/43/2025 be served on the Ogun State Commissioners for Housing, Finance, Works, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, along with the EFCC and ICPC.
The suit was filed by the Ogun State chapter of the CUPP and its leaders: Chairman Otunba Olufemi Soluade, State Secretary Comrade Samson Okunsanya, and Alhaji Moshood Adesina. The plaintiffs are seeking nine reliefs in an ex parte motion dated March 21, 2025, and filed by their counsel, Prof. Yemi Oke (SAN).
Central to the case is a request for an Order of Mandamus compelling the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the listed commissioners to provide detailed records of land and housing allocations across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Specifically, the plaintiffs are asking the court to order the disclosure of the names, particulars, and payment proofs of all allottees under several government housing schemes, including:
READ ALSO: CUPP Calls for Action on Nigeria’s Severe Poverty Crisis
GRA Regeneration Scheme, Abeokuta
Idi-Aba Housing Scheme
Old Government Technical College (Olobe), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta
Igbeba Housing Scheme, Ijebu-Ode
President Muhammadu Buhari Estate, Kobape
Workers’ Estate, Kobape
Prince Court Estates in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, and Ilaro
Gateway Aviation Village, Iperu-Remo
The plaintiffs contend that access to this information is necessary to verify compliance with due process, transparency in competitive bidding, and the qualifications of contractors involved in the schemes. They also intend to forward the findings to the EFCC and ICPC for investigation, citing Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
They said repeated requests for this information were ignored by the Ministry of Housing since January 2025, leading them to issue a final notice to the state government on February 10 before filing the lawsuit.
The court affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the matter and adjourned proceedings to October 15, 2025, for the hearing of the originating summons.