Sophia Michaels
An Akure High Court has called on the Ondo State House of Assembly, and the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to resolve their differences.
The presiding judge, Justice D.I. Kolawole, of the High Court, on Monday asked both parties to close ranks and settle their political issues.
In the case, the Ondo State Government and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu sued four registrars of the Court, the Ondo State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House and the Clerk, the Deputy Governor and the Chief Judge of Ondo State, to stop the compilation of records of appeal in aid of the appeal filed by the Deputy Governor against the ruling of Hon Justice Akintan-Osadebay delivered on 10th October 2023.
The plaintiffs in suit No: AK/362/2023, filed on October 12, 2023, are contending that the Registry of Ondo State High Court did not comply with due process of law and the Rules of the Court of Appeal before fixing a date for the compilation of records of appeal in alleged breach of their rights.
They therefore asked the Court to halt the process of the said compilation of records of appeal.
It was following this that the deputy governor asked the Court to stop the House of Assembly from continuing with the impeachment process, as well as nullify the allegation of acts of gross misconduct raised against him by the House of Assembly, and to stop the Chief Judge to set up an investigative panel.
During Monday’s hearing, Justice Kolawole, the plaintiffs were not in court, and there was no legal representation for them, ditto the House of Assembly and the Chief Judge.
The Deputy Governor, who is the Counter-claimant, was represented by Emmanuel Omohavwa from the law firm of Ebun-olu Adegboruwa SAN & Co.
Omohavwa told the court that both the House of Assembly and the Deputy Governor are exploring an amicable resolution around the issue, and that is why they are not in court.
He said it finding an amicable solution was a sequel to the intervention of the National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC),
The court, therefore, was pleased with the information on a settlement whereby the judge directed that the parties should settle and resolve their issues.
The case was thereafter adjourned to November 6, 2023, for further proceedings and a report of settlement.
