The recent elections of the Mace Club of Nigeria has come under legal scrutiny, as a member, Bolaji Adeniji, has approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta to nullify the entire process over what he described as blatant violations of the club’s own constitution.
Adeniji, who is a former General Secretary of the club was seeking a second term in the election, but was controversially disqualified by the Mace Electoral Committee under circumstances he argues were unjust and unconstitutional.
He said his disqualificatuion was “deliberately planned and engineered to exclude him from the race in favour of other persons being sponsored by certain interests in the club”.
Court documents reveal that the grounds for his disqualification were alleged non-completion of a voluntary pledge and discrepancies around his attendance figure.
Adeniji insists that he fulfilled all legitimate financial obligations required of members.
“I am not in default of the Club’s only compulsory and legal financial obligation, which is the annual subscription. A pledge is merely a donation and not a mandatory requirement under the club’s registered constitution.”
The applicant via the originating summons in suit number FHC/AB/CS/57/26 further contended that the electoral committee acted beyond its legal authority by assuming powers not granted to it under the constitution.
He alleged that the committee arbitrarily reclassified voluntary donations as debts and distorted attendance records to justify his exclusion. According to him, “these actions undermine fairness, due process, and natural justice” .
His counsel, M. A. Sobowale Esq, reinforced this position, arguing that the very constitution used to disqualify his client is “illegal and unknown,” thereby invalidating both the disqualification and the entire election process under its provisions.
In the affidavit deoposed to in the suit, Adeniji described as unfortunate, the failure by the Board of Trustees to uphold its oversight responsibilities. He accused the trustees of standing by while the electoral committee allegedly manipulated the process to favour predetermined candidates.
“The trustees abdicated their responsibility, allowing the electoral committee to manipulate the process and pave the way for a predetermined sole candidacy,” Adeniji stated.
In his application, Adeniji is asking the court to declare the election null and void, restrain the Aliu Odunmbaku-led executives from acting as officials or accessing club funds, and award damages of ₦5 million along with ₦1 million in legal costs. He is also seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent any attempt to strip him of his membership rights.
