Impeached’ Ekiti Speaker, Others Sue Fayose, Abba, DSS - Politics - dhabworld

Court grants plaintiffs leave to serve defendants processes

The impeached Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adewale Omirin, and 18 other members have sued Governor Ayo Fayose at the Federal High Court in Lagos for preventing them from performing their lawmaking duties.

They also joined the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, the Department of State Security Services (DSS), and the purported “Speaker,” Dele Olugbemi.

Olugbemi was “elected” by seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the assembly after claiming to have “impeached” Omirin.

Also joined as defendants are members loyal to Olugbemi, namely Samuel Ajibola, Adeojo Alexander, Adeloye Adeyinka, Isreal Ajiboye, Fatunbi Olajide, Olayinka Abeni; and the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti.

Three commissioners purportedly cleared by the House under Olugbemi, namely Oweseni Ajayi (Attorney-General), Kayode Eso (Commissioner for Works) and Toyin Ojo (Commissioner for Finance) were also joined as defendants.

The plaintiffs, in their originating summons, are praying the court to declare as unconstitutional and illegal the “election” of Olugbemi as “Speaker,” among others.

Justice Saliu Saidu granted the plaintiffs leave to issue and serve the originating summons and all other processes on Olugbemi, Fayose, Abba and Ojo outside the court’s jurisdiction and by substituted means, such as through advertisements.

The judge made the order following an ex-parte application moved by the plaintiffs’ counsel Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), led by Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN).

In a supporting affidavit Omirin, who was elected as Speaker on June 6, 2011, said a team of fully armed policemen positioned at the House of Assembly premises on November 17, prevented him from gaining access to his office.

“I proceeded to my office as usual but was denied entry by the commanding officer who stated that he had me listed as an All Progressives Congress (APC) member on a list he was holding and was instructed not to grant me entrance into the premises of the House of Assembly that day,” he said.

He said the situation persisted the following day. In addition to his being denied access to his office again, his aides were recalled. Electricity supply to his lodge was cut off. Allowances afforded him by virtue of his office were stopped.

“I was unconstitutionally and illegally stripped of my rights, privileges and paraphernalia of office from the 18th of November 2014 till date.
“Each of the plaintiffs has had the same actions meted out to them with the same period of time,” the Speaker said.

The other plaintiffs are Adetunji Orisalade, Churchill Adedipe, Isaac Ajayi, Olajide Alabi, Kayode Fasakin, Olaniyi Olajide, Gabriel Ogundele, Olubunmi Oriniowo, Omowumi Ogunlola, Clement Adu, Peter Agidi, Ojo Ogunrinde, Ayodeji Odu, Samuel Erinle, Ahmed Shittu, Isreal Daramola, Odebunmi Olabode and Bolics Boluwade.

Besides, the Omirin said the bank accounts of the assembly were frozen, while they have been prevented from playing their constitutional legislative roles.

“As a result of these actions of the defendants, no valid and constitutional legislative functions have been conducted in the Ekiti House of Assembly since November 17,” the plaintiffs said.

The defendants are expected to respond to the suit after being served.
Justice Saidu adjourned till December15.