Lagos Court Bars Ogunlewe, Council Leaders From Acting Against Whistleblowing Councillor
Kehinde Adeleye
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Yaba has ordered a halt to any disciplinary proceedings against a councillor in Kosofe Local Government who alleged financial misconduct within the council.
Justice Olufunke Sule-Amzat issued the interim order on March 10, 2026, restraining the council leadership from suspending or penalising Anthony Village councillor, David Samuel, pending the determination of a substantive suit he filed before the court.
Samuel had approached the court through an ex parte application in a case marked LD/21415MFHR/2026, asking for protection from what he described as attempts to punish him for exposing alleged financial irregularities in the council.
Among those listed as respondents in the case are the Leader of the Legislative Council, Isiwu Charity; the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Moyosore Ogunlewe; Oyedile Olufemi; the Kosofe Local Government Legislative Council; the Nigeria Police Force; and the Area Commander of Area H Command in Ogudu.
In her ruling, Justice Sule-Amzat directed that the respondents must not suspend, expel, or deduct the salary or entitlements of the councillor, nor take any disciplinary action against him until the court hears and decides the originating motion.
The court further ordered the police not to arrest or detain Samuel over a sexual harassment allegation that had been filed against him. The judge noted that the matter was already under investigation at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Ikoyi, and directed that no additional steps should be taken on the petition until the court rules on the pending motion.
In a 27-paragraph affidavit supporting his application, Samuel accused the council chairman and some legislative leaders of subjecting him to intimidation and political victimisation.
He claimed the alleged harassment began after he and two other councillors, Abayomi Elugbidin and Sulaimon Baruwa, submitted a petition on December 2, 2025, to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
According to Samuel, the petition accused the council chairman of actions that allegedly undermine democratic governance in the local government.
He alleged that the chairman appointed individuals described as “shadow councillors” to perform functions meant for elected representatives, while duly elected councillors were sidelined and denied their statutory benefits.
The councillor also claimed that the petition raised concerns over the management of a ₦100 million empowerment fund, alleging that the funds were distributed through individuals who were not elected members of the council.
The case is expected to proceed once the court hears arguments on the substantive motion.
