A Lagos State High Court in Igbosere has adjourned till April 29, 2015 further hearing in a fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by an ex-Entertainment Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938, Mr. Gbenga Gbadesire, against the Registered Trustees of the club.

Gbadesire had taken the trustees of the club to court, claiming N100m in damages, over alleged “unwarranted or unprocedural” expulsion from the club.

Though the matter was listed for Tuesday, it could, however, not proceed following the expression of discomfort by the presiding judge, Justice K.O. Dawodu, over a letter directly addressed to the court by the claimant.

In the said letter dated March 19, 2015, Gbadesire had sought the permission of the judge to allow media coverage of the Tuesday proceeding.

When the matter was called, the judge asked the claimant’s counsel, Mr. Olubusola Ashiru, from the chambers of Mr. Fred Agbaje, if he was aware of the letter and what purpose it was meant to serve.

However, Ashiru, who said he was appearing in the matter for the first time, told the court that the said letter was not written either on the advice of or with the knowledge of his chambers.

Also responding, the defence counsel, B.A. Onuoha, equally expressed surprise at such a letter.

In the circumstance, the judge said he did not feel comfortable to go on with the Tuesday proceeding and said the matter would be further adjourned.

Following this development, Onuoha, who said he had come to court ready to argue his case, asked the court to award N50, 000 as cost against the claimant for his action resulting in the truncation of Tuesday’s proceeding.

The claimant’s counsel, however, pleaded with the court not to award such a cost.

The judge, while adjourning the matter till April 29, however, said he would not award any cost against the claimant but ordered that he should appear on that day to explain why he had to write such a letter to the court.

Gbadesire, who served as the Entertainment Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938 between February 2006 and February 2008, is contending that his expulsion from the club, via a letter dated October 2, 2008, was unprocedural and a breach of Rule 9 of the Ikoyi Club 1938 Rules 2007.

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