Court Strikes Out Ondo Lawmaker’s Wrongful Expulsion Claim

The Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out a suit by an Ondo State lawmaker, Success Torhukerhijo, challenging his expulsion as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declaration of his seat in the House of Assembly vacant.

Justice Akintayo Aluko held that Torhukerhijo’s suit was not a fundamental rights claim and was not maintainable under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules.

The applicant filed the suit as the sole plaintiff, while the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly; Ondo State House of Assembly; APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were the first to fourth respondents.

He made his claims in his originating motion on notice dated 11/8/2022 filed on August 12, 2022.

Torhukerhijo, an elected member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, accused the first and third respondents of his unconstitutional expulsion as a member of the third respondent and declaring his seat as a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly vacant without giving him a fair hearing.

The applicant alleged a violation of his right to a fair hearing under section 36(1) of the Constitution in the process leading to his expulsion.

Torhukerhijo, a lawyer, represented himself, while Babatunde Esan held the brief of B. A. Aderosin for the third respondent.

Dismissing his claim, Justice Aluko held: “Coming from the foregoing, I hold the considered view that the main and principal claims of the Applicant which principally have to do with his expulsion as a member of the APC, declaration of his seat vacant and an order for the reversal and setting aside of the decision declaring his seat vacant are not fundamental right claims and are not maintainable under Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules.

“To this end, the lone issue, in this case, is resolved against the Applicant.

“Consequently, this suit is incompetent and same is struck out for the above reasons.”