The High Court of Justice sitting in Akure has granted the applications filed by the Ondo State Government in two separate suits involving the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowumi Isaac, and the Ondo State House of Assembly.
In both matters, presided over by Honourable Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi, the Court granted orders staying execution of its earlier rulings delivered on September 11, 2025, pending the determination of the appeals already filed by the Applicants.
The rulings had earlier been given in favour of a legal practitioner, Mr Emodamori, against the Commissioner for Finance in Suit No: HCAK/294/CIV/2025, and against the Ondo State House of Assembly, its Speaker, and Clerk in Suit No: HCAK/299/CIV/2025.
At Thursday’s proceedings, the Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, led the government’s legal team comprising Olabode Ayegbusi, Philips Batife, Owate Olubade and Olofinbo Oluwole to pray the Court to restrain the Respondent, either personally or through agents, from taking any step to enforce or give effect to the rulings until the appeals are determined.
Justice Olorundahunsi, after hearing the submissions, granted the orders sought, thereby halting any further action on the rulings pending appellate review.
With this development, both the State’s Ministry of Finance and the Ondo State House of Assembly have secured legal reprieve, stay the execution of the judgment until the Court of Appeal decides the substantive appeals.
During the proceedings, when the Respondent attempted to suggest that the government had in the past failed to honour certain court pronouncements, the Attorney General firmly rose to dispel the claim. He maintained that at no time has the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa ever flouted a court order.
Dr. Ajulo went further to emphasise that Governor Aiyedatiwa remains one of the most law-abiding leaders in the country, with an unwavering respect for the rule of law.
“There has never been, and there will never be, any instance where this government disregards a valid court order under my watch as Attorney General of Ondo State. The government of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is anchored on justice, fairness, and due process. It is an administration that believes firmly that the dignity of the courts must always be upheld, because respect for the law is the foundation of good governance.” The HAG said.
Speaking further after the court session, the Attorney General saluted both the Court and the Respondent, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the rule of law, stressing that no action or decision of the administration would ever run contrary to due process, as every citizen and institution must respect judicial hierarchy.
Below is the details of the earlier judgement
COURT ORDERS ONDO GOVT TO RELEASE LG ALLOCATIONS
•••Commissioners’ Asset Declarations
SUNSHINETRUTH News had earlier reported that the Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, delivered two landmark judgments compelling the State Government to release long-withheld financial and accountability records under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
In the rulings delivered on Thursday, September 11, 2025, Justice T.M. Adedipe granted the applications of Akure-based legal practitioner, Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, in Suits HCAK/294/CIV/2025 and HCAK/299/CIV/2025.
The court ordered the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, to furnish within seven days certified true copies of documents detailing disbursements from the Joint Local Government Account to the 18 local government councils in the state between January and July 2025.
In the second case, Justice Adedipe directed the State House of Assembly to produce evidence of assets and liabilities declared by all 18 commissioners screened and confirmed by the legislature between February and July 2025, in line with Section 192 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The Attorney-General of Ondo State, representing both the Finance Commissioner and the House of Assembly, had challenged the competence of the suits, arguing that the information sought was “personal” and exempt from disclosure.
The court dismissed these objections, ruling that the documents relate to public funds and constitutional requirements, and cannot be shielded from public scrutiny.
Justice Adedipe further rejected the argument that the Federal Government should have been joined in the matter concerning local government allocations, clarifying that the responsibility rests with the State Government under Section 162 (6) of the Constitution.
Speaking after the ruling, Emodamori described the judgments as “a bold step towards accountability and transparency in governance,” stressing that Nigerians deserve unrestricted access to information about how public officials handle state resources.
