A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered all parties in the leadership dispute at the Lagos Central Mosque to refrain from actions that could disrupt public peace, ruling that the Chief Imam remains in charge of organizing the annual Ramadan Lecture.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Alagoa, delivering the order on Wednesday, stated, “Since there is no dispute over the spiritual leadership of the mosque, the Chief Imam, as the spiritual head, is to take charge of the organization of the Ramadan Lecture.”
The order was issued while adjourning a suit filed by The Registered Trustees of Jamat-ul-Muslimeen Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, and Alhaji Chief Saheed Yemi Lawal against other mosque officials, including Alhaji Chief Sikiru Alabi Macfoy, Alhaji Chief A.A. Mustapha, Mufassir Imam S.A. Gafar, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), Sheikh Sulaimon Abu-Nolla, and the Attorney General of Lagos State.
The plaintiffs, represented by Dr. Kemi Pinhero (SAN), sought an interlocutory injunction to restrain the first defendant from acting as the Baba Adinni of the Lagos Central Mosque. They also requested the appointment of interim administrators to oversee the mosque’s affairs pending the resolution of the case.
During the hearing, defense counsel Bisi Oyesanya (SAN) argued that the court must first determine its jurisdiction before delving into the substantive matter.
However, Pinhero and Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), who represented himself as the fourth defendant, countered, stating that the legal principle Oyesanya cited was outdated.
Given that Ramadan is only days away, Pinhero urged the court to issue an order preventing any conflicting arrangements for the Ramadan Lecture, warning that separate lectures planned by rival factions could escalate into unrest.
“The issue here is the organization of the Ramadan Lecture. Both parties have scheduled it for the same day, which may lead to a breakdown of law and order,” Pinhero argued.
Other counsels, including Kunle Adegoke (SAN) and Efe Ize-Iyamu, backed the request for a status quo order.
In his ruling, Justice Alagoa directed all parties to “refrain from any action that could ignite violence or crisis.” He affirmed that the Chief Imam, as the recognized spiritual head, should oversee the organization of the Ramadan Lecture.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing on Monday, March 3, 2025.
