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Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
An Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, the state capital, has restrained the House of Assembly and Speaker David Oleyeloogun from suspending a lawmaker representing Ese-Odo state constituency in the House, Success Torhukerhijo.
The lawmaker, who was expelled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for not signing an impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, sought the protection of the court from being suspended from his legislative duties.
The House had suspended four lawmakers, including the Deputy Speaker, Ogundeji Iroju; the only female member, Favour Tomomowo; the only Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) member, Tomide Akinribido, and Wale Williams for allegedly acting against the House rules during a rowdy plenary where attempts were made to impeach the deputy governor.
Fearing that he may be suspended like his other pro-Ajayi lawmakers, Torhukerhijo sought the protection of the court.
The court, presided over by Justice Ademola Bola granted an order restraining the Assembly, speaker, their officers, agents and servants from suspending the lawmaker representing Ese-Odo.
The order was also served with a motion on notice as well as an originating summons.
In the order granted by Justice Bola, the court upon hearing Torhukerhijo, counsel for the applicant restrained the defendants, their officers, servants and agents from suspending the claimant or by any means whatsoever called, prevent the applicant from performing his constitutional duties or any legislative function as a member of the Assembly pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Also, the court restrained the defendants, their officers, agents and servants from stopping the benefits or other entitlements of the claimant as an elected member of the Assembly pending the determination of the motion on notice.
