A High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has convicted one Najeem Aromaye for contempt for parading himself as the Oniro of Iro in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.
Aromaye was said to have been restrained by Justice Gboyega Ogunfowora from parading himself as an Oba following a suit filed by a ruling house, Oleyo ruling house in Iro, since 2014.
Ogunfowora, had on September 15, 2014, granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Aromaye from parading himself as the Oba pending the determination of the substantive suit against his emergence, while it also restrained the state government and the kingmakers from engaging in any activity that would lead to the Aromaye’s emergence as an Oba.
Counsel for the Oleyo Ruling House, Salih Bakare, on Friday, told the court that Aromaye, despite the court injunction, presented himself for installation on September 16, 2014.
Justice Mobolaji Ojo, in her judgement said that the claimants have proved allegation of contempt of court against the respondent.
Ojo said, “Having examined the submissions of both learned counsels, I am satisfied that the claimants have proved the allegation of contempt of court against the respondent beyond reasonable doubt.
“The evidence before me is so overwhelming that the respondent deliberately chose to disobey the order of this court. This conduct must not be allowed to go unpunished.
“I hold that the claimants have proved beyond reasonable doubt that the respondent deliberately disobeyed the order of the court per Ogunfowora dated September 15,2014 restraining the respondent from parading himself as the Oniro of Iro, pending the determination of this suit.
“Accordingly, I find the respondent guilty of contempt of this court.”
“I make the following orders; the contemnor is hereby sentenced to fine of N5,000 (five thousand naira). The contemnor shall file a personally written undertaking in this court to purge himself of his contempt before the close of business today (Friday).”
The contemnor, however, signed an undertaking pledging to comply with the order of the court.