Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA/AKURE, NIGERIA — A Magistrate Court in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered the arrest and remand of the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Seun Osamaye, following allegations that she assaulted a Chief Magistrate during an official engagement at the Ministry of Women Affairs. The court’s decision, delivered on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, comes amid a heated judicial confrontation that has captured widespread attention in the state’s legal and political circles.
According to court filings and proceedings, the alleged assault incident occurred on the premises of the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs at Igbatoro Road, Alagbaka, while Chief Magistrate Temitope Alphonso was attending an official meeting with ministry officials. An affidavit attached to the prosecution’s charge alleges that the commissioner became verbally abusive and physically aggressive toward the magistrate, following a judgment she had earlier delivered that was purportedly unfavourable to Mrs Osamaye.
In the affidavit, Chief Magistrate Alphonso claimed that the commissioner not only verbally insulted and physically attacked her, but also issued direct threats to her life and personal safety. The magistrate asserted that when she requested that the commissioner stop cursing at her, Mrs Osamaye allegedly told her to “shut up,” dismissing her as “just a mere magistrate” and asserting that “even the Chief Judge of Ondo State cannot open his mouth when I am talking.” The affidavit further claimed that the commissioner warned the magistrate to “watch her back,” boasting that she had the power to make the judicial officer “go missing” and taunted that neither the governor nor the chief judge could protect her.
During proceedings, the commissioner failed to appear in court. Her legal counsel, Barrister A.K. Adewusi, informed the court that she was receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area, and requested a short adjournment to present evidence of her hospitalisation. The presiding Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, granted a brief stand-down of about one and a half hours to allow the defence to submit documentation supporting the medical claim.
When court resumed, the defence presented a medical report, but the prosecution challenged its authenticity and adequacy. The magistrate concluded that the document did not include essential details such as the date, time or confirmation of admission, and described it as insufficient to justify the commissioner’s absence.
In a ruling that underscored the judiciary’s insistence on accountability, Magistrate Sekoni determined that the commissioner’s failure to personally appear in court amounted to disregard for the authority of the court. Consequently, he ordered the immediate arrest and remand of Mrs Osamaye in a correctional facility pending further proceedings. The case has been adjourned until January 12, 2026, for continued hearing.
The order has sparked debate across political and legal communities in Ondo State and beyond. Supporters of the magistrate’s decision argue that it reinforces the principle that no official, irrespective of rank, is above the law, especially when facing serious allegations of judicial intimidation and physical assault. Legal experts note that the judiciary’s firm stance could serve as a deterrent against acts perceived as undermining the integrity of judicial officers and processes.
Opposition figures and some public commentators, however, suggest that the case may have political undercurrents, given the commissioner’s influential role in state governance and her political connections. They contend that due process must be meticulously followed to ensure a fair hearing and avoid perceptions of political prosecution or judicial overreach. Others have called for calm and respect for the rule of law, emphasising that the courts are the appropriate venue for resolving such disputes.
As of the latest court session, the Ondo State Government has not issued an official response to the arrest order. It is unclear whether Mrs Osamaye’s legal team will appeal the remand directive or pursue alternative avenues to challenge the court’s decision.
The episode adds to a growing list of high-profile legal confrontations involving public officials in Nigeria, raising broader questions about civil conduct, judicial independence, and the mechanisms in place to address conflicts between state actors and the judiciary. Observers say the outcome of this case could have implications for future interactions between executive officials and judicial officers, particularly in situations where official actions intersect with legal accountability.
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