Judge allegedly refuses accelerated hearing of case challenging LASIEC conducting election in 37 LCDAs
By KEMI KASUMU
The ex-parte motion seeks urgent interim injunction restraining LASIEC from going ahead with the elections scheduled for 12th July, 2025 on the ground of infractions relative to the scheduled elections in 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in excess of the 20 Local Governments in Lagos State.
In the case of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation v. Lagos State Government & Others, Hon Justice Opesanwo of the High Court of Lagos State has reportedly declined to expedite the hearing of an urgent ex-parte motion filed on Monday July 7, 2025 despite demand.
This motion, concerning an impending election (the election which is capable of disenfranchising members of De- Renaissance and other registered voters at large scheduled for Saturday July 12, 2025, has raised concerns about potential violations of electoral laws and the timeliness of the Court’s intervention.
The Applicant in the case is De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, a socio-cultural advocacy group dedicated to promoting the welfare of Lagos State’s indigenes and upholding democratic values and constitutionalism.
Respondents are the Lagos State Government and three other parties, including the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
The ex-parte motion seeks urgent interim injunction restraining LASIEC from going ahead with the elections scheduled for 12th July, 2025 on the ground of infractions relative to the scheduled elections in 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in excess of the 20 Local Governments in Lagos State.
Due to the urgency of the Matter, the legal team of De-Renaissance Patriots Foundation approached the registry of Justice Opesanwo who intimated them of unwillingness of the court to hear them before vacation despite the explanation of the the legal team and the pressing nature of the issue owing to the proximity of the election date.
They submitted a letter to the Court requesting an accelerated hearing date, specifically suggesting Wednesday, July 9th or Thursday July 10, 2025 as hearing dates to prevent the matter from becoming moot and to ensure the case’s relevance before the elections.
The court acknowledged receipt of the request letter but the judge has not acted on it, and the refusal to schedule a hearing, without providing a formal explanation, has led to concerns that judicial avenues may not be available to address alleged electoral irregularities in a timely manner.
In the view of experts, legal implications and community concerns are enormous including
“1. Access to Justice: The refusal to grant an expedited hearing raises questions about access to justice, particularly in situations where electoral processes may be challenged. This situation underscores the critical role of the judiciary in safeguarding democratic processes and addressing potential abuses of power.
“2. Impact on Democratic Values: Concerns have been voiced about the implications of judicial inaction on the fairness of the electoral process. The ability to challenge electoral conduct in court is fundamental to upholding democratic norms.
“3. Potential Next Steps: The legal team for De Renaissance Patriots Foundation may contemplate further legal avenues, including seeking a higher court’s intervention, advocating for the urgency of the matter, or filing additional motions to compel a hearing.”
The situation reflects the delicate balance between judicial operation, the urgency of electoral processes, and the need for adherence to legal protocols. It poses significant challenges to the foundation’s objectives of securing democratic integrity in Lagos State.
Continued advocacy for judicial consideration and potential measures to ensure this urgency is recognized could be necessary to uphold the rule of law and protect democratic rights.
