From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, yesterday, granted leave to applicants in a suit seeking an Order of Mandamus to compel the House of Assembly and the Speaker, to constitute a medical panel to assess Governor Akeredolu’s health status.
The suit brought before the court by Olufemi Lawson, Isijola Kike, Ologun Ayodeji and Arogbo Olaniyi underscores the paramount importance of upholding public trust and ensuring transparency by elected officials.
The call for a medical panel seeks to provide clarity on Governor Akeredolu’s health, having been away from the state for nearly six months.
The applicants filed an ex parte motion before the court on October 25. The motion was brought pursuant to section 6(6b) of the 1999 Constitution as well as Order 22 rule 1 of the Ondo State High Court rules.
The applicant prayed for an Order of Mandamus against the first and second respondents to compel them to carry out statutory and constitutional duties on the third respondent as stipulated under section 189(4) of the 1999 constitution.
The grounds were predicated on 11 grounds and In line with the rules of court, the applicant statement of claim and a 30-paragraph affidavit.
Upon the submission of the legal team of the applicant led by Dotun Ajulo, Fadeshola Ojamomi, A.V Àjàyí and K.A Mogbojuri, the court ruled that the hurdles and lacuna associated with Public Interest litigation has since been set aside in the case of Adetona vs Federal Republic of Nigeria and Inakoju v Adeleke.
It, therefore, granted leave for mandamus to compel first and second respondent to carry out their constitutional duties pursuant to section 189(4) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to 11th January 2024.