ABEOKUTA – The Mace Club of Nigeria elections held on March 14, 2026, has become a subject of legal battle at the Federal High Court Abeokuta division, as one of its members, Bolaji Abraham Adeniji, challenged the validity of the entire process.
Adeniji, a former General Secretary of the club, sought re-election but was disqualified by the Mace Electoral Committee on grounds he insists are unconstitutional and a deliberate attempt to sideline him.
According to court filings obtained by our reporter, Adeniji said that his disqualification was wrongfully premised on non-completion of payment of a voluntary pledge and the misinterpretation of his attendance numbers.
In the affidavit deposed to in suit number FHC/AB/57/26, Adeniji stated, “I am not in default of the Club’s only compulsory and legal financial obligation; which is the annual subscription and therefore not indebted to it in any form”.
He said a pledge is a donation, not a compulsory financial obligation under the club’s registered constitution.
The applicant in the originating summons contended further that the electoral committee acted ultra vires, saying they lack the constitutional authority to disqualify candidates.
He accused the committee of misinterpreting attendance records and converting voluntary donations into debts, thereby breaching the principles of fair hearing and natural justice.
Counsel to the applicant, M. A Sobowale Esq, emphasized that the constitution relied upon for his client’s disqualification was “illegal and unknown,” thus rendering the entire election process void.
The court process also highlighted the failure of the Board of Trustees of the Club to exercise constitutional oversight and prevent the alleged irregularities.
Adeniji noted, “The trustees abdicated their responsibility, allowing the electoral committee to manipulate the process and pave way for predetermined candidates”.
Among the reliefs sought by the applicant are declarations nullifying the election results, injunctions restraining the Aliu Odunmbaku-led executives from parading themselves as officials of the club and accessing club funds, damages of ₦5 million and cost of action to the tune of ₦1million against the first to sixth respondents and an order of perpetual injunction restarting club from depriving him continuous membership.
