COURTROOM NEWS 14/01/2023
Ondo Assembly Files Stay of Execution on Sacked Deputy Speaker
Ondo Assembly has filed a stay of execution against an High Court judgment which sacked its Deputy Speaker, Hon Samuel Aderoboye and reinstated Hon Iroju Ogundeji.
It said it has also filed an appeal against thejudgment.
Spokesman of the Ondo Assembly, Olugbenga Omole, in a statement said the stay of execution order was filed after after consultations with lawyers.
Omole stated that the Ondo Assembly would continue to conduct its business in line with global best practices based on the rule of law, strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and House Rules and Procedures.
He reiterated that Ogundeji was validly impeached by members in line with extant rules and procedures.
According to him: “We have taken necessary steps to remedy the situation by challenging the High Court ruling at the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Akure Division to set aside the judgement. We also filed a process for an order staying the execution of the judgement pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed against the decision of the High Court,and an order of injunction pending appeal restraining whosoever from giving effect to the judgement pending the determination of the appeal before the Court of Appeal.
“It is pertinent to inform the public that as at yesterday 11th January,2023 when the ruling was made, Hon Ogundeji is no longer a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly following the unanimous resolution of members on the 31st March,2022 which declared his seat vacant as lawmaker representing Odigbo Constituency 1 in the Assembly.
” It should be noted that Iroju Ogundeji is currently challenging that decision in the court.
“We wish to enjoin Iroju Ogundeji and his co travelers to exhaust the judicial process up to the highest point of adjudication rather than resort media propaganda”.