An Ikeja High Court has dismissed a suit filed by wife of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Taiwo, seeking the postponement of the wedding of her son, Olujonwo, to Tope Adebutu.
Justice Lateefa Okunnu, on Monday, dismissed the suit on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit because 33-year-old Olujonwo is an adult.
According to the Justice Okunnu, “On March 27, I ordered counsel to direct me on whether the family court can hear a case where the child is an adult. Counsel has addressed me and I have read the processes before me.I have found to be very genuine, what the applicant said regarding performing her parental duties in paragraph 15 of her affidavit.
“The court, regrettably, lacks the competence to adjudicate this suit, the jurisdiction of the family court covers children under the age of 18 years. The respondent’s son is 33 years old, this negates the ability of this court to entertain this suit.
“The proper order to give is one dismissing this suit in its entirety; I hereby dismiss this suit.”
Former president Obasanjo and the father of the bride, Sir Kessington Adebutu, prominent businessman and promoter of Premier Lotto known, popularly known as “Baba Ijebu,” are the respondents to the suit.
While Mrs. Taiwo Obasanjo was present in court, the former president and the bride’s father, Sir Adebutu, were absent.
Mrs. Obasanjo had in her suit filed on March 27, prayed that the wedding, which is scheduled for May 11, be shifted to any date after June 1, Olujonwo’s 34th birthday.
She claimed that she had received various warnings and prophecies from clerics that her son should not be involved in any elaborate celebrations before his 34th birthday.
Earlier during proceedings, counsel to Obasanjo and Adebutu, Mr. Bode Olanipekun, had asked the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
“We urge your Lordship to dismiss this suit based on jurisdictional challenges. Under Section 261 of the Child’s Act, this court has no jurisdiction because the child is above 18-years.
“The claimants have not disclosed a reasonable cause of action and no laws were cited in their address. I urge your Lordship to dismiss this suit,” Olanipekun said.
