A Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has ordered the arrest of the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Seun Osamaye, over an alleged assault on a Chief Magistrate, Mrs Temitope Alphonso.
The court order followed allegations that the commissioner verbally and physically assaulted Magistrate Alphonso at the Ministry of Women Affairs during an official visit by the judicial officer to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, in the presence of staff.
According to court documents, the incident was said to have stemmed from a judgment earlier delivered by Magistrate Alphonso, which was reportedly unfavourable to the commissioner.
In an affidavit attached to the charge, the magistrate alleged that the commissioner subjected her to verbal abuse and threats, including claims of political influence and intimidation.
The affidavit stated that when the magistrate asked the commissioner to stop cursing, she was allegedly told to “shut up” and was described as “a mere magistrate,” with further claims that even the Chief Judge of Ondo State could not challenge her authority.
It was further alleged that the commissioner warned the magistrate to “watch her back,” boasting that she had the means to make her “go missing,” while beating her chest during the threat. She was also accused of saying that neither the Governor nor the Chief Judge would be able to save the magistrate.
At the hearing, the commissioner failed to appear in court. Her counsel, Mr Adewusi, told the court that she was receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Ilara-Mokin and requested a stand-down to allow time to present proof of her condition.
The presiding magistrate, Mr Damilola Sekoni, granted a one-and-a-half-hour stand-down. Upon resumption, the defence presented a medical report, which was immediately challenged by the prosecuting counsel over its authenticity.
In his ruling, Magistrate Sekoni rejected the medical report, describing it as inadequate and lacking critical details such as the date and time of admission or confirmation that the commissioner was unfit to attend court. He held that the document failed to justify her absence.
Citing what he described as a clear disregard for the authority of the court, the magistrate ordered the arrest of Mrs Osamaye and directed that she be remanded in prison custody.
The case was adjourned to January 12 for further hearing.
As at the time of filing this report, the Ondo State Government had not issued an official response to the development.
