A Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that the Chief Imam remains in charge of the Lagos Central Mosque’s annual Ramadan Lecture amid leadership disputes
[dropcap]A [/dropcap]Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered all parties involved in the ongoing leadership dispute at the Lagos Central Mosque to refrain from any actions that could disrupt public peace.
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The court affirmed that the Chief Imam remains in charge of organising the mosque’s annual Ramadan Lecture.
Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Alagoa 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 organisation of the Ramadan Lecture.”
The ruling came 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.
The suit was brought 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 manage the mosque’s affairs pending the resolution of the case.
During the hearing, defence counsel Bisi Oyesanya (SAN) argued that the court must first determine its jurisdiction before addressing the substantive issues.
However, both Pinhero and Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), who represented himself as the fourth defendant, countered this argument, stating that the legal principle Oyesanya cited was outdated.
With Ramadan only days away, Pinhero urged the court to issue an order preventing any conflicting arrangements for the Ramadan Lecture.
He warned that the rival factions’ separate plans for lectures on the same day could lead to unrest.
“The issue here is the organisation 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.
Supporting the request for a status quo order, other legal representatives, including Kunle Adegoke (SAN) and Efe Ize-Iyamu, also emphasised the need to avoid potential chaos.
In his ruling, Justice Alagoa directed all parties to “refrain from any action that could ignite violence or crisis.”
He reaffirmed that the Chief Imam, as the recognised spiritual head of the Lagos Central Mosque, should oversee the planning and execution of the Ramadan Lecture.
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The case has been adjourned for further hearing on Monday, 3rd March 2025.
