Court Adjourns Suit Challenging Funke Akindele’s Conviction

A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned till July 21, a suit challenging the conviction of popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, her husband, Abdulrasheed Bello popularly known as JJC Skillz and 236 others.

The suit which was filed by a Lagos lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje is seeking a declaration that the law upon which Akindele and others were convicted was inconsistent with the 1999 constitution.

He also argues that the arrest, arraignment, trial, conviction and sentencing of Akindele and others lacks legal backing.

It’s not clear if the legal practitioner, Olukoya Ogungbeje who filed the suit in his name was briefed by the Nollywood actress to initiate the action but the lawyers insists that, “I have a duty to protect and defend the sanctity of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from any contravention or infraction,”.

At the proceedings today, counsel representing the Lagos State Government, Jonathan Ogunsanya filed and served its preliminary objection to the suit.

In the preliminary objection, the Lagos State Government is challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High court to entertain the suit which cause of action it says arose from the acts of the police as agents of the State under the laws of the state.

The State government also says that the suit is an abuse of court process. It, therefore, wants the court to strike out the same.

Justice Maureen Onyetenu has adjourned till July 21 to enable the applicants file their response to the preliminary objections served on them by the Lagos State Government.

Funke Akindele and others were arrested, tried, and convicted for violating the Lagos State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020.

The actress had hosted a birthday party in her Lagos residence to celebrate her husbands birthday.