Lagos Judge Faces NJC Complaint for Allegedly Withholding Case File and Delaying Appeal

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Allegations Against Justice Akinlade
• Details of the Petition
• Judge's Actions
• The Appeal Process
• Request for Intervention
• Conclusion

A judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice O.A. Akinlade, has been reported to the National Judicial Council (NJC) over alleged misuse of her position.

The allegations pertain to a divorce case, identified as suit No. LD/15719WD/2023, for which Justice Akinlade has already issued a ruling.

A petition addressed to the Chairman of the NJC, which was shared with journalists by the respondent, Mr. Uche Vincent Ononaiwu, claims that months after the judgement was delivered, Justice Akinlade’s court obstructed his right to appeal.

The petition, dated October 15, 2025, was titled: “A Complaint Against Hon. Justice O.A. Akinlade of the Lagos State High Court regarding Abuse of Office and Obstruction of Justice in Suit No. LD/15719WD/2023.”

The respondent informed the NJC that his complaint centers around the judge’s actions “which have prevented me from exercising my constitutional right to appeal her judgement delivered on May 21, 2025.”

He recalled that in a petition dated December 4, 2023, Omolola Alice Makinde “had initiated divorce proceedings at the Lagos State High Court for the dissolution of my marriage with her.”

The petitioner expressed concern that in her ruling delivered on May 21, 2025, the judge granted not only the requests made in the petition but also ordered his arrest by the Nigeria Police.

This occurred despite the fact that the plaintiff had requested such actions in her relief sought before the court.

He then conveyed to the NJC: “As is my constitutional right, my lawyers submitted a Notice of Appeal dated August 19, 2025, and a Motion for Stay of Execution dated August 20, 2025. Both documents were duly served on the opposing counsel by a court bailiff on September 12, 2025.

“On September 18, 2025, the Appeal Section of the Lagos State High Court formally requested the release of the case file to the Appeal Section to facilitate the reconciliation of the Record of Appeal.

“Instead of receiving updates about the release of the case file, on September 24, 2025, my lead counsel, Chibuzor T. Obiajunwa, received a phone call from an unidentified caller.

“Upon answering, the caller introduced himself as a staff member of Honourable Justice O.A. Akinlade’s court.

“He identified himself as Mr. Lawson Abiodun and mentioned that he was calling on behalf of Honourable Justice Akinlade to invite both myself and the opposing counsel for a meeting with Honourable Justice Akinlade on Monday, September 29, 2025.

“Surprised by the unusual nature of the invitation, my counsel called the number back and, during the conversation, inquired about the purpose of the meeting.

“In reply, the caller stated that he was simply instructed by the judge to summon the parties and that the phone was on speaker, with the Judge listening to the conversation.

“Given the unusual circumstances surrounding this invitation and the lack of clarity regarding the meeting's purpose, my counsel prudently chose not to attend.”

He further stated that a prior petition had been submitted to the Chief Judge of Lagos State concerning the same issue, but no action had been taken, prompting him to seek the NJC’s intervention.

“Indeed, due to the Judge’s unyielding stance on the matter, my lawyers formally complained to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, urging that the judge be compelled to release the case file of LD/15719WD/2023 to the Appeal Section of the Lagos State High Court.

“In light of the above circumstances, we feel compelled to write this letter regarding the actions of this Judicial Officer.

“Your Lordship is therefore respectfully requested to intervene in this matter and take appropriate disciplinary action to address this clear and serious abuse of power and obstruction of justice that is denying me my constitutionally protected right to appeal,” he appealed to the NJC.

Additionally, DAILY POST has obtained a copy of the earlier petition sent to the Lagos State Chief Judge, dated October 9, 2025.

According to the respondent, the petition, titled “Complaint Against Hon. Justice O.A. Akinlade For Abuse Of Office In Suit Number LD/15719WD/23,” has yet to receive any response from the Lagos Chief Judge.

The petitioner is now looking to the NJC for justice.