The controversy whether it is to be addressed as State of Osun or Osun State seemed to have been laid to rest on Wednesday, as the state High Court sitting in Osogbo on Wednesday said constitutionally, the name, ‘State of Osun,’ does not exist.
The High Court judge, Justice Mathias Agboola, delivering his judgement in a case brought before it by a lawyer, Mr Kanmi Ajibola, against the state government, said it amounted to “artistic colouration when ‘Osun State’ is referred to ‘State of Osun.”
Hence, the court held that what is known to the Nigeria’s constitution is Osun State.
The judge in his ruling held that lawyers should be wary of legal implications of referring to Osun State as the “State of Osun.”
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Ajibola had sued the state government over a personal tax of N5.3m that the state Internal Revenue Service asked him to pay, which he said was punitive because he often held opposing views to that of the immediate past governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
In his plea, the lawyer also prayed the court to declare the law upon which the tax was based as illegal since, according to him, it was a law made by “The House of Assembly of State of Osun,” a body, which he said is not known to the constitution.
Earlier, the defence counsel, M. Popoola, had asked that the case be struck out for lack of jurisdiction.
On the issue of tax payment, Justice Agboola upheld the submission of the defence that Ajibola did not seek all necessary means of settlement before approaching the court.
Hence, the judge held that Ajibola should seek redress through other necessary procedures laid down by the tax law, that it is only after failed, the plaintiff should seek redress in court.
It will be recalled that the renaming of the state by former Governor Rauf Aregbesola sparked off controversies, but his successor, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, whom many had thought would reverse the decision has not spoken on the issue.
Meanwhile, concerned Nigerians have taken to Twitter to pass comments on the judgement as presented below:
Whether it is State of Osun or not, the truth of the matter is Osun is still one of the states in Nigeria
See beautiful places in Osun State….. pic.twitter.com/rFaW4dFibn
— Akinblogger @ akinblog.com🇳🇬 (@STermined) June 4, 2020
Right from time I never stopped saying I'm from "Osun State" and I see people that say that they are from "State of Osun" like they are in a state of Confusion.
— I'm Dammy (@AyamDamiee) June 4, 2020
Trending Matter;
“Court says State of Osun does not exist.”
State of Osun
Or
Osun stateWhich one do you prefer?
— Naija (@Naija_PR) June 4, 2020
'State of Osun' unconstitutional, declares court
On Wednesday, Justice Mathias Agboola of the Osun State High Court declared unconstitutional the rendering “State of Osun” adopted by the State Government.
— Government of Osun (@StateofOsun) June 4, 2020
"state of Osun"
Governor Aregebesola was a pure cruise 😂
— ' moduroti ☄️ (@theModurotoluwa) June 4, 2020
Osun State is Osun State just like all other states of the federation… What rubbish is 'State of Osun'?
Tueehh.— Isaactimi⚪ (@Isaactimi2) June 4, 2020
This reversal by the courts of STATE OF OSUN to OSUN STATE is another pointer to the rubbish that Aregbesola instituted, and had the citizens of the state live with for 8 years, without their consent. They won't be recovering from the damage to education anytime soon either.
— 'kovich (@madukovich) June 4, 2020
Please what is the difference between "Osun State" and "State of Osun"?
— Onyema Donald (@Onyema_Donald) June 4, 2020
Abeg what's the meaning of state of osun😂 the fact that it's my state that combo makes me laugh….state of osun😖
— Agbeke Ade (@itsAderose) June 4, 2020
2 years ago, I attempted to examine this ridiculous onomastic confusion (at the time) between Osun state and State of Osun from a grammatical perspective.
Should you find it an interesting read, kindly RT. pic.twitter.com/pyFd0NLLAv
— Olalekan 'T. Adepoju (@Dgreatlekan) December 30, 2019
A good time to bring this back. Lool
"…On Osun State vs The State of Osun: A Grammatical Explanation" https://t.co/9IdTO3Oz3M
— Olalekan 'T. Adepoju (@Dgreatlekan) June 4, 2020
Abeg what's the meaning of state of osun😂 the fact that it's my state that combo makes me laugh….state of osun😖
— Agbeke Ade (@itsAderose) June 4, 2020
Trending Matter;
“Court says State of Osun does not exist.”
State of Osun
Or
Osun stateWhich one do you prefer?
— Naija (@Naija_PR) June 4, 2020
But I love the name (State of Osun)
— Rash N' Grab♥️🔱🇳🇬💜💥 (@RashNGrab) June 4, 2020
Long live OSUN STATE
R..I.P STATE OF OSUN https://t.co/Q9h2DDznES
— TosinPhD (@Donteewrites) June 4, 2020
What State of Osun simply means is the situation of Osun State and nothing more.
— Damola Adebayo (@AODamola) June 4, 2020
