Ex-PS Sues Ondo Govt Over Nomination Of Commissioner Designate

A retired Permanent Secretary, Prince Ade Okiki has dragged the Ondo State government and the State House of Assembly to court over the nomination of Chief Olayato Aribo as a Commissioner designate by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

In the suit with No AK/224/2021 filed on November 24 filed on behalf of the community leader by Chief Ademuyiwa Adeniyi said the lawmakers in the state should not confirm Aribo as a commissioner in the cabinet of Governor Akeredolu.

Pointedly, the court has been asked to determine whether Olayato Aribo who had been found guilty of fraud, dishonesty and gross misconduct and on the basis of which he was dismissed from his employment and consequently blacklisted from being employed or appointed again into any post of responsibility can be appointed and cleared as commissioner in the state.

Aribo from Ose Local Government and 13 others nominees of Governor Akeredolu have been forwarded to the State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation as commissioners in the State.

But Okiki who is from the same Local Government with Aribo said the nominee should not be confirmed as it would dent the image of the people of the council area who are known for honesty and would impugn on the integrity of the cabinet of the state government.

According to him, Aribo was dismissed from Equity Bank for alleged gross misconduct and fraudulent transactions in the past. He said the nominee was consequently blacklisted and adjudged as being unfit and unqualified to hold any post of responsibility for the rest of his life pursuant to a law validly enacted by the National Assembly, Bank and other financial institution act, 1991.

Okiki said the blacklisting and the fact of finding Aribo guilty of gross misconduct and engaging in fraudulent transaction in official dealings was accepted and confirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction in suit no FHC/L/CS/305/2008.

Okiki in a statement said since the the suit had been filed, and the parties aware of the pendency of the suit, they should not go ahead with the consideration of Aribo’s name as commissioner nominee from Ose Local Government.

He said any attempt to clear Aribo in defiance of the case would amount to contempt of court and would be prejudicial to the outcome of the case.

Okiki appealed to the Speaker, Hon Bamidele Oleyeloogun and other lawmakers to obey the rule of law and stay further processing of the name of Aribo in the Assembly.