143 Oorelope Workers: Foundation Petitions Makinde Over Non-Implementation of Court Judgment

IBADAN — The OJOGE-DANIEL Human Rights Foundation, also known as JÀFẸ̀TỌ́-Ẹ — Stand Up For Your Rights, has petitioned the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, over the alleged non-implementation of a court judgment involving workers of Oorelope Local Government Council.

The Foundation, in a petition dated September 26, 2026, called on the governor and the leadership of Oorelope Local Government Council to urgently address the prolonged dispute and implement the judgment, which it said directed the reinstatement of the affected workers and payment of their accrued salaries, allowances and other entitlements.

The matter arose from Suit No. NICN/IB/16/2013, filed by Ojeleye Joseph Adedeji and 112 others against Oorelope Local Government Council.

According to documents presented to the Foundation, the affected workers obtained a consent judgment directing their reinstatement without loss of privileges as well as the payment of their accrued salaries, allowances and other entitlements.

The Foundation further stated that subsequent proceedings in Appeal Nos. CA/IB/434/2017 and CA/IB/M.156/2018 were struck out on May 19 and 20, 2025, respectively.

The organisation consequently questioned why the judgment had allegedly remained unimplemented years after it was delivered.

In the petition, the Foundation asked the Oyo State Government and Oorelope Local Government Council to clarify whether there was any subsisting legal impediment to the implementation of the judgment and, if there was, to disclose the nature of such impediment.

It also demanded a definite timeline for implementation and a transparent account of funds allegedly appropriated, released, received or paid in respect of the affected workers.

Speaking on the intervention, the Co-Founder and President of the Foundation, Chief (Mrs.) Bolawale Sobowale Ojoge-Daniel, Esq., said the organisation was intervening to ensure that the affected workers were not left without a resolution despite the judicial proceedings.

Ojoge-Daniel said the workers should not be treated merely as names contained in court documents, stressing that they represented families and individuals whose livelihoods had allegedly been affected by the prolonged dispute.

She said, “Justice cannot live permanently between the covers of a court judgment. At some point, it must leave the pages of the law and enter the lives of the human beings for whom that judgment was delivered.”

She added that some of the affected workers had reportedly died while waiting for the resolution of the matter, leaving their families to contend with the consequences.

The Foundation also raised concerns over allegations that salaries or other entitlements belonging to some of the affected workers might have been collected, diverted or otherwise improperly handled by certain individuals or political office holders.

It, however, stressed that it had not pronounced any person guilty of wrongdoing, describing the claims as allegations requiring investigation and verification by the appropriate authorities.

The organisation said that should the relevant authorities fail to provide satisfactory explanations, it may submit a formal petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, requesting an investigation into the financial aspects of the matter.

According to the Foundation, such an investigation could include the examination and tracing of relevant appropriations, releases and payments connected with the affected workers.

It said such a process would also provide an opportunity for any public officer wrongly associated with the allegations to have his or her name cleared.

The Foundation further invited the Executive Chairman of Oorelope Local Government Council, or an authorised representative of the council, to appear before its People’s Parliament and Court of Public Opinion to explain the council’s position.

It said the platform was designed to allow all sides to present their accounts, stressing that the Foundation would not substitute itself for a court of law or pronounce anyone guilty without evidence.

The organisation said its intervention was not intended as a confrontation with the Oyo State Government or Oorelope Local Government Council, but was aimed at securing clarification, accountability and a peaceful resolution of the workers’ claims.

It urged the authorities to provide the public with a clear account of the legal and financial status of the matter and to take appropriate steps towards resolving the dispute.

The Foundation maintained that respect for lawful judicial decisions remained an important aspect of democratic governance, urging the Oyo State Government to clarify the status of the judgment and the steps being taken towards its implementation.

It also called on journalists, civil society organisations, labour-rights advocates, legal practitioners and other Nigerians interested in the administration of justice to monitor the matter responsibly while allowing every party an opportunity to present its position.

The Foundation said its position remained centred on law, dialogue, transparency, accountability and democratic responsibility, insisting that its ultimate objective was for the grievances of the affected workers to be addressed through lawful means.

It called on Governor Makinde to intervene in the matter and work with the relevant authorities towards what it described as a lawful, transparent and humane resolution.

The organisation also urged members of the public to follow its activities and human rights advocacy across its social media platforms.

The Foundation maintains a YouTube channel, OJOGE-DANIEL HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION, and a Facebook platform, OJOGE-DANIEL TV, where it publishes updates on its activities and advocacy campaigns.

It also operates Instagram and TikTok accounts under the name TOKOTAYA AMOFIN OJOGE-DANIEL, providing updates on human rights issues, legal advocacy and matters concerning citizens’ rights.

The Foundation encouraged members of the public to follow, like, share and subscribe to its platforms as it continues its advocacy for justice, human dignity, transparency and accountability.

JÀFẸ̀TỌ́-Ẹ — STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS.