By Dayo Johnson Akure
The Chairman of Ondo State Football Association, and a Former Regent of Akure,
Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, has approached the Ondo State High Court to stop Mobil PLC from ejecting him from a filling station he operates in Akure.
Dele-Ajayi, through his counsel, Olusola Oke, filed a Motion on Notice seeking an injunction to preserve the existing contractual agreement between both parties pending the determination of the substantive suit.
In the suit marked HCAK/447/CIV/2026, he is asking the court to restrain Mobil PLC, its officers, agents and privies from terminating the contract or taking any steps to evict him from the premises.
He contended that the eviction notices issued by the company on September 25 and October 5, 2026, violate Clause 18.3 of the Agreement and Operating Manual guiding their business relationship.
In a letter dated October 16, 2026, and made available to journalists on Sunday, Oke’s law firm formally demanded that Mobil PLC suspend any eviction plans and refrain from actions capable of destroying the subject matter of the suit.
The letter warned that parties in pending litigation are expected to preserve the status quo and avoid self-help.
Citing the Supreme Court decision in Military Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621, the lawyer noted that the apex court has deprecated self-help and stressed obedience to the rule of law where a matter is before a court.
He also cited Kotoye v. Central Bank of Nigeria (1989) 1 NWLR (Pt. 98) 419 on the need to preserve the res pending determination of injunctive relief.
“We strongly urge your Company to exercise restraint, avoid any unilateral action that may prejudice the pending proceedings, and allow the court the opportunity to determine the said Clause 18.3 vis-à-vis your written notices dated 25th September, 2026 and 5th October, 2026.
“Any action taken in disregard of the pending litigation, particularly one calculated to defeat the reliefs sought, may expose your Company to further legal proceedings and any appropriate orders or consequences that the court may consider justified in the circumstances.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our Client maintains that the notices dated 25th September, 2026 and 5th October, 2026 are inconsistent with Clause 18.3 of the Agreement and Operating Manual.
“The validity, legal effect, and consequences of those notices are now matters for judicial determination, and your Company is hereby advised not to preempt that determination by taking steps that could alter the existing position or cause irreparable prejudice to our Client.
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