Court adjourns CMS Grammar school alumni election dispute to Nov 26

Justice Lawal Alebiosu of the  Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed November 26, 2025, for a report of service and further proceedings in a suit filed by two alumni of C.M.S. Grammar School, Bariga, against the Registered Trustees of the Old Grammarians’ Society.

Justice Alebiosu adjourned the matter on Monday after counsel for the parties appeared for mention.

The claimants, Gafa Ibrahim and Adeyombo Adewale, through their counsel, Christopher Oladipupo, filed the suit marked ID/9573/GCM/25, seeking to nullify the election conducted by the sixth defendant on June 28, 2025.

They are asking the court to declare the election “null, void, and of no effect,” and to restrain all officers elected during that process from parading themselves as executives of the society pending the determination of the case.

In their written address in support of the originating summons, the claimants further urged the court to declare that the 2014 constitution of the society remains valid and in force until it is lawfully repealed or amended.

They also asked the court to hold that the purported 2025 constitution of the society is “invalid and inchoate” for failing to comply with the amendment procedures set out under Article XX (a) and (b) of the 2014 Constitution.

The claimants additionally sought “such further orders as the court may deem fit,” noting that their application is supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the first claimant, Gafa Adegboyega Ibrahim.

The defendants listed in the suit are Mr. Cyril Ogbekene, Ambassador Dapo Fafowora, Joshua  Sodium, Mr. Olu Ojo, Dr. Jagun Sikuade, and Dr. Ayodeji Awobiyide.

When the matter was called, Dele Babalola appeared for the first defendant (Registered Trustees of OGS), while Dr. Ayodeji Awobiyide, the seventh defendant, represented himself.

Counsel for the first defendant, Ifeoluwa Olabode, and Dr. Awobiyide announced their appearances before the court.

However, Dr. Awobiyide protested that he had not been served court processes.

“My Lord, I appear under protest. The reason for my appearance is that I have not been served. I just got wind of this matter,” he told the court, urging that formal service be effected.

In his response, claimants’ counsel, Oladipupo, maintained that the defendants were aware of the suit.

“It appears that the defendants have been served,” he said, arguing that since Dr. Awobiyide was in court, he was clearly aware of the case.

He added, “My Lord, there’s a procedure for challenging service. The essence of service is to put parties on notice, and since the defendant is already in court, he is aware of the matter.”

Justice Alebiosu noted that there was no evidence of service in the court’s file.

Oladipupo then stated, “I will leave it with the Sheriff and take a date to ensure the affidavit of service is in the court’s file.”

In response, Awobiyide said, “I’m ready to waive service if he gives me the process now.”

The claimants’ counsel immediately handed him the court documents.

The judge thereafter directed the claimants to ensure proof of service on all defendants and adjourned the matter to November 26, 2025, for report of service and further proceedings.(Punch)