Falana Moves to Jail Makinde for Alleged Disobedience of Court Order

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has initiated contempt proceedings against Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over alleged disobedience of a subsisting judgment of the Oyo State High Court on the management of motor parks in the state.

Falana filed Form 48 against the governor and other defendants, including the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, as well as the Commissioner for Public Infrastructure, Works and Transportation. He accused them of failing to comply with the court’s judgment in Suit No: M/246/2020.

The applicants in the case are Alhaji Abideen Olajide, Alhaji Lekan Aleshinloye, Alhaji Isiaka Ajetunmobi, Alhaji Kasali Lawal, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

According to the court document dated February 11, 2026, the respondents were warned that failure to comply with the judgment could result in imprisonment for contempt of court.

Justice M. A. Adegbola had earlier delivered judgment in the matter on February 17, 2021. The court granted several declaratory reliefs sought by the applicants and issued a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from interfering with the management of motor parks in Oyo State or collecting dues from commercial drivers.

The court also nullified the appointment of park managers made by the state government on February 17, 2020, describing the action as ultra vires and inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

In the judgment, Justice Adegbola ruled that the appointments and related directives were unconstitutional, illegal, and void because they violated Section 7(5) of the Constitution.

The court further held that the state government could not assume responsibilities assigned to local government councils. It stated that the management of motor parks and the appointment of park managers fall under the authority of local governments under Paragraph 1(e) of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.

Justice Adegbola concluded that the continued operation of state-appointed park managers and the collection of dues by them contravene the Constitution.