Court Restrains Ondo Assembly, Speaker, From Suspending Lawmaker |The Source

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

Reprieve has come for a member of the Ondo state House of Assembly. An Akure High Court, on Tuesday, halted the Assembly and the Speaker; Mr David Oleyeloogun, from suspending him.

The Lawmaker, representing Eseodo constituency in the Assembly,  Mr Success Torhukerhijo, had earlier been  expelled by the majority All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the House,  for not signing the impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi.

Following the suspension of four other Lawmakers by the Assembly on alleged trumped-up charges, he sought the protection of the Court from being punished.

Those already on suspension are the Deputy Speaker; Ogundeji Iroju, the only woman, Favour Tomomowo and the only Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) member, Tomide Akinribido and Wale Williams over their refusal to sign impeachment notice against the Deputy Governor.

Following the suspension of the only ZLP member, representing Ondo West Constituency,  a Committee was set up to investigate Torhukerhijo over his alleged use of foul language in a media chat and report back to the house.

To prevent suffering same fate as his colleagues,

Torhukerhijo sought the protection of the court from being suspended.

Justice Ademola Bola, who granted the  Ex parte Order,  consequently restrained the Assembly, Speaker, their officers, agents and servants from suspending the Mawmaker as a member of the House.

The order was also served with a motion on notice as well as an originating summons.

The court upon hearing Mr. Dipo Torhukerhijo, counsel for the Applicant, restrained the Defendants/Respondents, their officers, servants and agents from suspending the  claimant or by any means, or prevented  from performing his constitutional duties or any legislative function as a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice in this suit.

The court also restrained the Defendants/Respondents, their officers, agents and servants from stopping the benefits or other entitlements of the Claimant as an elected member of the House of Assembly pending the determination of the motion on notice.