N1BN SUIT: COURT STOPS EXECUTION OF ADEDIBU'S WILL

An Ibadan High Court has embargoed the execution of the Will of the late maverick politician, Chief Lamidi Adedibu slated for next Sunday. Justice A.L Akintola of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan , who gave the order, restrained the three eldest sons of the late politician from disposing, distributing or allocating their father's estate, pending the determination of a suit in which they were joined.

Also joined in the suit is the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao, who is the chief executor of the Will.

Mr. Dapo Davies, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pelly Foam had instituted the N1billion suit against the late strongman of Ibadan politics and Peter Asha of King Zion Ventures Limited, following attacks on the premises of his company located at No 1. Lebanon Street , Dugbe, Ibadan in 2006, during which property worth millions of naira were reportedly carted away by thugs suspected to be working for Adedibu.

But following his death on June 2008, the same court on July 21, 2008, granted an order substituting the deceased politician with three of his children – Dr. Abass Adedibu, Senator Kamarudeen Adedibu and Alhaji Akeem Adedibu on the ground that they are all heirs apparent to the Adedibu's estate.

At yesterday's sitting of the court, counsel to Davies, Sulaimon Olawale Olayemi, sought among others, an order of interim injunction restraining the execution of Adedibu's Will said to have been fixed for Sunday, June 27, 2010.

The presiding judge initially refused to grant the orders, stressing the need to put Adedibu's children on notice in line with the dictates of fair hearing.

But, Olayemi insisted that the order be granted as a matter of urgency, arguing that the property carted away from the premises of Pelly Foam to Adedibu's house were among those planned to be distributed. He added that the action, if allowed to take place would jeopardise the N1billion court action.

After listening to the arguments of the Pelly Foam boss' counsel, Justice Akintola, granted three out of the four orders sought, and adjourned the case till Friday June 25, 2010, instructing that all necessary court processes should be served on the Adedibus before the next adjourment.

The orders are: 'An order joining Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola, the Chief Executor to the estate of late Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu, as the 8th defendant in the suit.

'An order of Mareva injunction restraining the 5th-7th defendants(Adedibu's sons), their servants, agents and/or privies or whatsoever called from disposing, distributing and/or allocating, either by sales, leases or mortgage of the entire estate of late Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu whether realty or personality pending the determination of the motion on notice.

'An order of Mareva injunction restraining executors and/or administrators from distributing, disposing and/or allocating, either by sales, leases or motgage of the entire estate of late Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu whether realty or personality pending the determination of the motion on notice.'