It was an angry Justice Adebisi Akinlade who scolded Olujonwo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has been unable to serve his estranged wife, Temitope Adebutu, a copy of his divorce petition.
This consequently stalled proceedings on the divorce case last Thursday at an Ikeja High Court in Lagos.
Temitope is the daughter of billionaire Premier Lotto magnate, Sir Kessington Adebutu, aka Baba Ijebu.
Counsel to Olujonwo, the petitioner, Ms Omo Omofoma, told the court Thursday that the court sheriff had made several failed attempts to serve the defendant.
Omofoma said Temitope was not resident in Lagos but lived and worked in Ogun.
She said the court sheriff was informed that the defendant occasionally visited her Lagos residence which was given as address for service by the petitioner.
The counsel also said Olujonwo was not aware of any alternative address to serve the court documents to his estranged wife.
In response, Justice Adebisi Akinlade said: “Olujonwo cannot tell me that he does not know where she stays; they courted for some time, they had a highly publicised wedding which was viewed nationally and internationally.
“They have separated since 2017 till date and by June next month it will be two-years since they separated which is longer than the actual marriage.
“The parties can narrow down their issues and part amicably and prevent the press from feeding on this case. Let them go their separate ways without generating unnecessary publicity.”
The judge then adjourned the case until September 18 for further mention.