The recent political drama in Ondo State that led the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi of the State, to cross carpet from All Progressive Party ( APC ) to Peoples’ Democratic Party ( PDP ) has generated a lot of reactions both on the social media and on the print media.
In what many termed as political with hunt…’the Governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu has sponsored some members of the State Assembly to embark on impeachment procedure against the Deputy Governor.
As part of the plot to achieve this ‘political enterprise’, some members of the state Assembly have approached the State Chief judge, Oluwatoyin Akeredolu to set up probe panel against the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, over allegations of gross misconduct that are frivolous and mere fabricated lies.
The Chief judge, Oluwatoyin Akeredolu in accordance with the dictate of the constitution rejected the prayer of the State Assembly.
This decision of the Chief Judge, Oluwatoyin Akeredolu has been acknowledged by many legal luminaries.
One of such legal icon is the respected Jibrin Sam Okutepa ( SAN ).
Let us read his epic reaction:
“The refusal of the Hon the Chief Judge of Ondo state to set up a seven man panel to investigate the Deputy Governor of Ondo State at the instance of the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly is a good step in the right direction and in obedience and fidelity to constitutional duty which his lordship sworn to defend and uphold.
That is what a good judicial officer should do. That is a CJ that knows his onions.
This was what the late CJ of Kogi State my state had lacked the courage to do when the Kogi State House of Assembly requested that a seven man Panel be set up to investigate the then Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Elder Simon Achuba, who had gone to court to challenge the removal process being put in place then by the Kogi State House of Assembly.
His lordship CJ of Ondo State, Hon Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu will go down in history as the first CJ that refused to set up a panel to investigate the Deputy Governor when litigation was pending. He said it was sub-judice.
That is what a good judicial officer should do. Kudo to Akeredolu CJ.
There is no doubt that the political class who want the Deputy Governor removed may not find the decision of his lordship palatable and acceptable.
But all right thinking members of the legal profession must stand by and applaud the bold decision of Akeredolu CJ.
The law is that when a matter is pending in court, no party to it is allowed to do anything to undermine the judicial process.
It is only the judiciary that can instil sanity into the political class.
While the political class sworn to uphold and defend our constitution, practical conduct on their parts shows mockery of our constitutional democracy.
The example of Akeredolu CJ must be copied by all heads of courts and other judicial officers when faced with decisions to defend our constitution.
Our electoral justice too requires bold statements to put an end to political rascalities before, during or post elections disputes.
For me Akeredolu CJ has done the right thing even if heaven falls even though heaven has never fallen and it will not fall”.
