Aggrieved applicant fire lawyers, takes up case before court

The 2024 aspirant for the local government seat of Yewa North Local Government Area under the banner of All Progressives Congress (APC) of Ogun State has fired his lawyers handling his case relating to pre – election matter before a Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta

Penpushing reports that the aggrieved aspirant, Gbenga Akinwande has therefore, resolved to appear for himself, having filed an application praying the court to review the N6,000,000 costs it awarded against him in favour of the respondents

The respondents in the suit marked FHC/AB/CS/144/2024 include All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) and Dr. Olusola Samuel Akinbode.

Penpushing further reports that it would be recalled that Akinwande, a London based engineer turned politician in his application sought the permission of the court to transfer the suit from the Federal High Court to the State High Court,

The judge, Justice Abiodun Adeyemi of the Federal High Court (FHC) 2, Abeokuta it would be recalled in his ruling on October 15,2025 awarded a cumulative N6million costs against him in favour of the respondents.

Penpushing also reports that the judge in awarding the costs against the applicant held that, he was of the unshaken view that it is not only just to award costs against the claimant, but it is most appropriate considering the facts of the case.

“I am of the unshaken view that it is not only just to award costs against the claimant, but it is most appropriate considering the facts of the case. The applicant that filed this case and asked for transfer are not in court today (October 15, 2025)’, the judge stated.

‘I hereby award the cost of N3million against the claimant in favour of the 1st and 3rd respondents, and the cost of N3million against the claimant in favour of the 2nd respondent. This cost must be paid before any further step is taken in this case. The cost of N50,000 yet to be paid, must also be paid before any further step is taken’, he declared

Penpushing reports that when the matter was mentioned for hearing of the motion on February 4, 2026, the applicant (Gbenga Akinwande) announced appearance for himself, moved his motion.

The applicant supported the motion with 23 paragraphs affidavit, equally filed a written address, adopted it as a legal argument in support of the motion and urged the Court to grant it as prayed.

Penpushing further reports that Akinwande in requesting for a review of the N6,000,000 costs, the applicant claimed among other things that the amount ordered by the court was extremely heavy, punitive and far above his financial capability.

The applicant claimed that he engaged lawyers for their professional service and paid their fees, urging the court not to hold him for whatever the counsel did or failed to do in the manner of handling the pre – election case.

Penpushing also reports that the applicant argued that the respondents would not be prejudiced if the application is granted, and appealed to the court to order costs that will be convenient for him to bear.

The representative of Edwards Ayo – Odugbesan, lead counsel of the 1st and 3rd respondents and counsel G.O. Agboola, who held brief for Wale Abeeb Ajayi countered request of the applicant, on behalf of the 2nd respondent (electoral commission), and opposed the application.

Penpushing reports that the respondents argued that the settled position of the law is that costs follow event and submitted that sympathy or financial hardship is not a legal basis for denying a successful party compensation for expenses legitimately incurred.

The respondents, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the application, and the judge after listening to the arguments and counter arguments of the applicant and respondents as well as their written addresses, adjourned till March 10, 2026 for ruling.

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