Akeredolu Disown Suit on Ondo LGs Chairmen Dissolution

By Oluniyi Akintunde, Akure

A mild drama ensued at the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital on Wednesday as the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN)said he was not aware of the appeal filed on his behalf on the dissolution of the local governments chairmen in the state.

It was reported by national dailies some days ago that Akeredolu has filed an appeal at the court on his alleged move to dissolve local governments chairmen and councilors in the state.

When the case came up on Wednesday, counsel to the governor, Charles Titiloye, told the court that Akeredolu was embarrassed to read the reports in many newspapers as he was not aware of both the order of the High Court restraining him from dissolving the councils or of the appeal supposedly filed by him.

Titiloye, who was supported by another lawyer, Mr. O.O. Ayenakin, noted that the state’s Solicitor-General was in court, to demonstrate how concerned the governor was over the suit.

The solicitor-General,Dapo Ogunleye subsequently rose up to confirm his presence, while the 18 local government chairmen and councilors were represented by their counsel, Mr. Olusola Oke.

The governor’s legal team, as such, pleaded for adjournment to enable their client study the matter.

The presiding judge, Justice Nduke Anyanwu then adjourned the suit to June 7, 2017, for hearing.

Akeredolu, according to a hearing notice served on Oke by the state’s Ministry of Justice, had appealed a judgment of the state’s High Court headed by the immediate past Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi (now retired) which barred the governor from sacking the council officials elected on the platform of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

The chairmen and councilors averred that in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), they were elected to serve for a three-year tenure, which would expire on April 25, 2019.

In granting their prayers, Justice Kumuyi observed that the “tenure of an elected councilor or office holder cannot be abridged or determined at the whims or caprices of anyone one except the electorate.”

He therefore, restrained the state governor from dissolving, sacking, dethroning, impeaching or however removing the claimants from their respective positions, offices, duties, functions, powers and rights.