A civil society organisation, Upline Centre for Development, has raised concerns over what it described as a potentially incomplete handling of the legal situation involving the Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Seun Osamaye, and Chief Magistrate Temitope Alphonso, warning that rushing to judgment could undermine justice and harm thousands of vulnerable citizens.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Executive Director, Alo Martins on Friday and made available to Newsmen, the group insisted that while the dignity and independence of the judiciary must be protected, justice cannot be selective or one-sided, especially when the fate of a key public institution and its beneficiaries is at stake.
The organisation questioned whether the full circumstances surrounding the alleged altercation have been sufficiently examined, asking pointedly what events preceded the incident, what judgment had earlier been delivered, and what transpired during the magistrate’s visit that escalated the situation.
According to the CSO, “justice demands context, not conclusions drawn from preliminary narratives.”
Upline Centre for Development drew attention to the Commissioner’s record in office, stating that since March 2025, the Ministry of Women Affairs has recorded 59 major interventions, including empowering over 10,000 girl children, supporting widows, low-income women, farmers and petty traders, and providing free healthcare to more than 3,000 elderly citizens, alongside rehabilitation programmes for abandoned children and persons living with disabilities.
The group warned that any action taken without a thorough and balanced investigation risks crippling social welfare programmes relied upon by thousands across Ondo State, effectively punishing vulnerable citizens for a dispute they had no role in.
While stopping short of accusing the judiciary of wrongdoing, the CSO maintained that both parties must be allowed to present their full accounts, stressing that a public servant’s years of service and character should weigh heavily in any fair assessment.
It also raised concerns over proportionality, arguing that sanctions or public condemnation based on unresolved allegations could amount to injustice.
The organisation called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene by ensuring a fair hearing, facilitating dialogue between the parties, and preventing disruption to critical social development programmes.
It further urged the judiciary to consider alternative dispute resolution, allow complete disclosure of facts, and avoid actions that may be perceived as prejudicial before investigations are concluded.
In a closing remark likely to stir public debate, the CSO warned that “a righteous person must not be treated as a criminal when the full truth has not been told,” adding that justice must be thorough, balanced, and humane.
