Divorce Suit: Moji Obasanjo Loses Bid To Stop Press Coverage

Akeem Nafiu, Lagos - 03.05.2008

Mrs. Mojisola Obasanjo, the embattled wife of Dr. Gbenga Obasanjo, the first son of former President Olusegun Obasajo, on Friday lost out in her bid to compel an Ikeja High Court presided over by Justice Dawodu Williams, to bar journalists from further coverage of the divorce suit instituted by her husband to end their barely eight-year marriage.

In her ruling on the application brought by Moji through her lawyer, Mrs.Helen Ovonlen, the presiding judge dismissed the 1st and 2nd requests of the applicant in which she sought the leave of the court to continue further hearing of the matter in camera and to prevent non-parties and counsels from monitoring the rest of the proceedings.

Citing Section 36(1)(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which made it mandatory for court sittings to be in public, the judge held that ‘’sitting in public may no longer be sitting in public when some people were barred from proceedings’’.

She further held that fundamental human rights would be infringed upon if the matter were taken away from the public glare.

Granting the press coverage of the matter, the judge said, ‘’In the instant case, having a global view of issues raised so far by press, there is a need in the circumstance of this case and doing justice because of the children who are involved, the court shall exercise its discretion.’’

The judge further noted that Boluwatife and Wuraola Obasanjo, the children of the parties in the matter were part of the proceedings and that they were vulnerable, saying they desire special protection in line with the speculations of the matrimonial cause acts.

She subsequently granted further press coverage of the matter, but with a caveat that there shall be no printing or publication of any issue that has to do with the children of the marriage.

Further hearing was adjourned till 4th June 2008.