GBENGA OBASANJO MESSY DIVORCE: COURT ADJOURNS TILL MAY 2

Gbenga Obasanjo

Mojisola Obasanjo

The messy divorce case between Gbenga Obasanjo, first son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his estranged wife, Mojisola Obasanjo nee Onabanjo was again adjourned by the Ikeja High Court, Lagos till May 2, 2008. Reasons for the adjournment were not made known to Journalist who waited several hours for the case to be heard.

Justice Dauda Williams through the court registry announced that the case would now be heard on May 2, 2008, making it the second time the case has been adjourned. He refused to take questions from reporters. The case first came up for hearing in March but was adjourned till April 18, 2008.

However, sources told Pointblanknews.com that the reason for the adjournment may not be unconnected with disagreement amongst lawyers handling the case on whether or not the case should be tried without press coverage.

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It was gathered that while lawyers from the Addeh & Associates, representing Gbenga Obasanjo are now insisting on having the divorce case tried in the open while Mojisola Obasanjo through her lawyers led by Mrs. Helen Ovonles are pressing for the judge to have the case tried without press coverage.

In would be recalled that In a motion dated 29 February, Moji asked the court, among other things, for an order directing that proceedings in the matter be held in camera, an injunction restraining all parties that are not in the matter from appearing in the court and stopping  further publications of the case by both the print and the electronic media.

Moji, through her lawyer, Mrs. Helen Ovonles, also wants the court to restrain parties in the matter from giving out documents relating to the suit to the press. .

In his reply to Moji's motion, Mr. Addeh maintained that the press, however, has the constitutional right to cover any proceedings.

He said further that the discretionary power of the court to order for a secret hearing must be situated within the law.

Before adjourning ruling in the motion on whether the matter should be heard in public or not, the presiding judge, Justice Dauda Williams cautioned all journalists present in court to be careful about what they publish concerning the matter.