Politics
One Year After, A’Court Reinstates Ex-lawmaker As Dep Speaker
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday, reinstated Hon. Iroju Ogundeji as the Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, a year after he completed his tenure.
In a unanimous decision, Justices Oyebisi Folayemi Omoleye, Frederick Oziakpono-Oho and Yusuf Alhaji Bashir upheld the judgment of Justice Akintan Osadebey that reinstated the two-term lawmaker who represented Odigbo State Constituency in the Assembly.
The Assembly, under the leadership of former Speaker, Rt Hon. David Bamidele Oleyeloogun, had suspended Hon Ogundeji as a member of the Assembly and eventually removed him as the Deputy Speaker.
Hon Ogundeji served the rest of his tenure as a lawmaker in suspension.
Displeased with the action, Hon Ogundeji, through his lawyer, Oluwanike Omotayo Esq, approached the court for the nullification of the suspension as a lawmaker and removal as the Deputy Speaker.
Mr Omotayo told the court that the decision of the Assembly was a nullity, since the purported impeachment did not follow the constitutional requirements.
The counsel added that the purported removal of Hon Ogundeji contravened Order Two, Section 9 (1-10) of the rules and standing order of the State House of Assembly, saying the law required a two-third majority of the members before any of the principal officers of the Assembly could be impeached.
Justice Osadebey, in her judgment, ordered the reinstatement of Hon Ogundeji as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
The court described as illegal, null, and void, the purported removal of Hon Ogundeji as the Deputy Speaker on November 24, 2020, by some members of the Assembly.
The judge further held that the lawmaker was not given a fair hearing as the purported impeachment had been carried out before a panel to investigate him was set up by the Assembly.
This, the judge held, was like putting the cart before the horse, adding that the claimant was not personally served the impeachment proceedings, which made it a nullity.
Also, the Judge said there was no parliamentary resolution before the purported impeachment was carried out and that not all members were present during the impeachment as required by the rules of the Assembly and the 1999 Constitution.
The court further held that the signing of parliamentary meeting attendance was not tantamount to consent as nine out of the 26-member Assembly dissociated themselves from the purported impeachment.
Subsequently, the court ordered that Hon Ogundeji should be reinstated and all his entitlements paid up-to-date while his paraphernalia of office should be restored immediately, just as the appointment of Hon Aderoboye was described as a nullity.
Consequently, Justice Osadebey awarded N10 million as damages for the humiliation suffered by the lawmaker during his purported impeachment and suspension.
Displeased with the verdict of the lower court, the Assembly, through the then Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Titiloye Charles, appealed the judgment.
In his appeal, Charles said the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit, having not complied with the mandatory provision relating to pre-action notice.
However, the appellate court dismissed all the legs of the appeal of the Assembly and ordered the lawmaker to be paid all his entitlements as a lawmaker and as the Deputy Speaker of the ninth Assembly.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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