The Oyo State High Court has adjourned the suit between Egbe Amofin Oodua and the Registered Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) sine die (indefinitely), following the filing of an appeal at the Court of Appeal against the interim order of injunction earlier granted in favour of the claimant.
Gatekeepers News reports that the resumed hearing on Monday, April 27, 2026, the courtroom was attended by several senior and junior members of the Bar. Chief Yomi Aliu, SAN, led the legal team for the claimant, alongside Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN, Tunji Ogunrinde, SAN, and others. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Defendants were represented by Senior Advocates and other counsel, including Sammie Somiari, SAN, Chief A. A. Malik, SAN, and Dr. Liborous Oshoma, Esq.
Procedural Issues Raised
Proceedings began with the claimant seeking to move an application for an interlocutory injunction. However, issues arose following a pending joinder application filed by Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN. Counsel to the 2nd Defendant also raised concerns regarding the non-service of originating processes on his client and the recent service of the joinder application.
Counsel to the 1st Defendant, Dr. Liborous Oshoma, further questioned the priority of the injunction application, noting that a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction remained pending.
Application for Stay of Proceedings
Chief A. A. Malik, SAN, appearing for the 6th Defendant, subsequently applied for a stay of proceedings in the matter. He informed the court that an appeal had already been entered at the Court of Appeal against the earlier interim order, identified as Appeal No. CA/IB/176/2026.
He argued that continuing proceedings at the High Court could result in jurisdictional conflict, as the matter was now before the appellate court.
During proceedings, Chief Malik tendered copies of the record of appeal, a motion for stay of execution/proceedings filed at the Court of Appeal, and an accompanying affidavit.
Counsel for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants supported the application for stay, arguing that the Court of Appeal was the appropriate forum to consider any preservative orders relating to the subject matter of the suit. Sammie Somiari, SAN, submitted that the appellate court possesses jurisdiction to preserve the subject matter of cases before it.
Court Adjourns Matter Indefinitely
In his ruling, the presiding judge adjourned the matter sine die, pending the determination of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Implications
The adjournment marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings involving Egbe Amofin Oodua and the Nigerian Bar Association. Observers note that the matter will now proceed at the appellate level, where issues relating to the interim order and further proceedings are expected to be determined.
