Judge recuses self from Lagos Country Club leadership suit

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has recused himself from a suit challenging the leadership and administration of the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, following an application by the plaintiff, Babatunde Fashanu, SAN.

The judge announced his decision on October 29, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/LAG/CS/876/2026, involving Fashanu and the Incorporated Trustees of Lagos Country Club and others.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa held that where a litigant expresses a fundamental lack of confidence in a judge’s impartiality, it is in the interest of justice for the judge to recuse himself.

He consequently directed that the case file be remitted to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge.

The decision followed a Motion on Notice dated June 1, 2026, in which Fashanu sought the judge’s recusal and the transfer of the suit, citing alleged inconsistencies in decisions delivered in earlier proceedings involving the club.

In support of the application, the plaintiff referred to Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1792/2014, in which Justice Lewis-Allagoa had ordered the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the dispute.

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Fashanu contended that a subsequent Consent Judgement in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1886/2024, instituted by Dr Edwards Ademosu, appeared to validate actions by the club’s leadership, including the conduct of executive elections and the operation of the club’s official financial accounts.

He argued that the actions allegedly endorsed by the consent judgement were inconsistent with the subsisting status quo order and raised concerns about the impartiality of the proceedings.

Although the application was scheduled for hearing on October 29, the judge recused himself without taking oral arguments from counsel.

The substantive suit seeks, among other reliefs, an order setting aside the Consent Judgement in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1886/2024.

The plaintiff is also seeking orders nullifying administrative actions, executive decisions, committee appointments and electoral processes allegedly undertaken pursuant to or under the authority of the challenged judgement.