By Valentine Idedia

It is regrettable and deeply troubling to read Ebun Adegboruwa SAN’s feeble response titled “I don’t know Justice Osiagor from Adam,” in an attempt to deflect attention and create a diversion through disinformation, all while a court case is ongoing. This has been a hallmark of this simple civil dispute since it began in 2022.

Frankly, no one is concerned about whether Adegboruwa knows Justice Osiagor. He is free to associate with the judge, but that should not interfere with a case of this significance. The real issue is Adegboruwa’s disregard for the judicial process, which has led to unnecessary controversy.

The case centers on Maurice Etim, a minority shareholder and director of several companies within the Edmark Group, and his co-director, Sam Low Ban Chai, a Malaysian businessman under investigation by Interpol for serious criminal offenses, including forgery, fraudulent corporate practices, and money laundering.

Etim claims that his signature was used without his consent for corporate resolutions, financial statements, tax filings, and more. These allegations prompted an official investigation, and the Nigerian Attorney General, in collaboration with Interpol, has uncovered substantial evidence, including over 500 bank accounts opened in Edmark’s name without Etim’s approval.

The focus now should be on Adegboruwa’s behaviour throughout this case. Settlement talks initially occurred but broke down when Etim refused to agree to a condition barring him from pursuing legal action. Since then, Adegboruwa’s legal tactics have taken a concerning turn.

While Adegboruwa can claim not to know Justice Osiagor, his insistence (following his letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court) that it must only be Justice Osiagor that will handle his cases on the Edmark matters is intriguing.

This is despite Justice Osiagor’s earlier decision in a sister case, which favours Adegboruwa, raising serious questions, where Osiagor held that the police should be stopped from investigating Maurice’s complaint of forgery of his signature on a board resolution—a document that is part of Adegboruwa’s defence to the Maurice petition for unfairly prejudicial conduct.

Adegboruwa described Justice Aneke as unfair. He is not satisfied that the matter is before Justice Dipeolu. The distinguished SAN wants the matter returned only to Justice Osiagor.

It appears that it is only Osiagor who can do justice in the legal world of Adegboruwa. Is he saying that all the other justices of the Federal High Court, including the senior Justices in the Lagos Division, are not fit and proper to be judges?

Issues of Judicial Bias
What is even more baffling is the series of petitions, motions, and allegations of bias put up by Justice Osiagor. Osiagor had previously handled a case involving Adegboruwa, creating a potential conflict of interest.

Etim’s counsel requested Osiagor’s recusal from two pending suits, and while Osiagor agreed to recuse himself from one, he refused to do so for the primary petition, where Adegboruwa represented the Respondents.

When Etim’s counsel appealed, Osiagor dismissed the motion for a stay of proceedings and vacated earlier interlocutory orders without formal application. He then appointed a junior auditor, Samuel Ibrahim, against Etim’s request for a more qualified firm.

Later, Osiagor replaced Ibrahim with Ariyibi, who was found to have a close connection to Osiagor’s church—a relationship not disclosed at the time.

Questionable Orders and Interventions
Etim’s counsel opposed the auditor’s actions and filed for intervention, but Justice Osiagor ruled against them. Additionally, Osiagor granted orders restricting Etim’s access to the Edmark Group’s premises in a separate petition, despite objections from Etim’s counsel.

Meanwhile, Adegboruwa filed a new action in the Lagos State High Court for more restraining orders, which were challenged by Etim’s counsel as an abuse of the court process.

To complicate matters further, the police were involved in enforcing these orders, despite questions about their legitimacy. The intervention of the Inspector General of Police was required to halt the unlawful execution.

Etim’s counsel also sought Justice Osiagor’s recusal from the subsidiary petition, which was granted in November 2024.

Public Concern
The public is left wondering: What is the nature of the special relationship between Adegboruwa SAN and Justice Osiagor? Why has Adegboruwa insisted that only Justice Osiagor should preside over this matter?

Justice Osiagor’s emotional outburst in court and his subsequent recusal do little to mask the apparent bias and possible collusion between him and Adegboruwa.

This situation is a clear example of the Tragedy of the Commons, where individuals act solely in their own self-interest, ultimately causing harm to all parties involved. This behaviour reflects a broader problem in Nigeria’s legal system.

Conclusion
Ebun Adegboruwa SAN’s actions in this case are tarnishing his reputation and casting a shadow over the legal profession. His tactics, including judicial intimidation, obstruction of justice, and the abuse of state power, suggest that his earlier image as a human rights advocate may have been a façade for self-serving ambitions.

By manipulating legal processes for personal gain, Adegboruwa risks losing the respect he once commanded and may be remembered not as a defender of justice, but as a legal villain who uses his position to manipulate the law.

Valentine Idedia, Sales and Marketing Specialist and has followed the court proceedings closely. He is also an an avid interest in fighting injustice

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FSpUJ9gQU/

By Oluwaseyi Oluwabiyi

(This article is based on a true story. Names and certain details have been altered to protect the privacy of those involved.)

When Tolu and Ade welcomed their first child, they were filled with hope and excitement. But their joy quickly turned into heartbreak when medical negligence during delivery caused their daughter to develop cerebral palsy. What followed was a six-year journey of sacrifice, frustration, and resilience that forever changed their family.

The experience shook their faith in the Nigerian healthcare system, forcing them to seek treatment abroad and make unimaginable sacrifices to provide their child with the care she needed. Today, they share their story to support others facing similar struggles and call for accountability and systemic change.

A Shattered Dream

Tolu recalls the day her baby was born with a mix of pain and anger. “It was a long labor, something felt off and I kept asking for help, but the doctor dismissed my concerns,” she says. The delay in intervention resulted in oxygen deprivation, and the diagnosis of cerebral palsy came weeks later.

“We didn’t understand what it meant at first,” Ade explains. “But as the weeks turned into months, we realized how drastically our lives were going to change.”

The couple was devastated not just by the diagnosis, but by the knowledge that their child’s condition was preventable. “Knowing that a doctor’s negligence altered her life forever broke something in us,” Tolu admits.

The Search for Better Care

Determined to give their child a fighting chance, Tolu and Ade traveled abroad in search of better medical care, staying there for nearly eight months. The move came with difficult decisions. Ade, a promising professional in his field, had to sacrifice his career to stay back and care for their daughter, while Tolu returned to Nigeria to continue working and support the family financially.

“It was the hardest decision we’ve ever had to make,” Ade shares. “I had to set aside my ambitions and focus entirely on her care. But I knew it was what she needed.”

The separation tested their marriage and their resolve. “Being apart from my family and working in Nigeria while they were abroad was exhausting,” Tolu says. “But we didn’t have a choice. We couldn’t both leave work, and we needed the money to afford her treatments.”

Everyday Challenges

Caring for their daughter was more than a full-time job. She couldn’t walk and had to be carried everywhere. She couldn’t control her bowel movements and had to be fed through a tube inserted into her stomach.

“We hired caregivers because we needed the help, but it came with its own problems,” Ade says. “Some of them were rude and careless, and we had to tread carefully so they wouldn’t leave or maltreat our daughter in our absence. It was exhausting to constantly manage both their behavior and our child’s care.”

The financial burden was overwhelming, but the emotional toll was even heavier. “There were days I couldn’t stop crying,” Tolu confesses. “I felt like I had failed her, even though deep down I knew it wasn’t my fault.”

A Life Too Short

Their daughter lived for six years before complications from her condition led to her passing. “She was our light, even in the darkest moments,” Ade says. “Losing her felt like losing a part of ourselves.”

The grief was compounded by anger at the system that had failed them. “She didn’t have to go through all that suffering,” Tolu says. “We trusted the doctor, and he let us down and to think that he was my gynecologist all through the pregnancy. That’s something I’ll never forget.”

Despite their pain, the couple has found ways to honor their daughter’s memory by sharing their story and supporting others.

What They Want Others to Know

When asked what advice they would give to parents in similar situations, Tolu and Ade share the lessons they learned through their journey:

1. Speak Up Early

“If something feels off, don’t hesitate to speak up and demand better care,” Tolu says. “Don’t let anyone dismiss your concerns.”

2. Find a Support Network

“You can’t do it alone,” Ade adds. “Lean on friends, family, or even support groups. Having someone to talk to makes a difference.”

3. Focus on the Love

“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges,” Tolu says. “But don’t lose sight of the love you have for your child. That’s what will keep you going.”

4. Hold the System Accountable

“The healthcare system must do better,” Ade emphasizes. “Doctors need to be trained and retrained, and there should be consequences for negligence.”

The Broader Conversation

Across Nigeria, countless families are grappling with the fallout of preventable medical errors. Their experience highlights the urgent need for reforms in the healthcare system, not just for better practices, but for accountability and support for affected families.

“Her life mattered,” Tolu says. “And if sharing her story can spark change, then her legacy will live on.”