Ondo State House of Assembly’s suspension of its Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji and three other lawmakers have been described as illegal and nullified by an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure.
The lawmakers had through their lawyer, Banjo Ayelakin, sought the protection of the court against their unlawful suspension from the House.
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The court presided over by Justice Ademola Bola, on Friday held that the Ondo Assembly Speaker, Bamidele Oleyeloogun lacked the power to suspend any member of the house.
Noting that the suspension of Ogundeji as the Ondo assembly deputy speaker and that of four others were illegal and unlawful, Justice Bola ordered the assembly to immediately pay all the entitlements of the affected lawmakers.
The Judge said the suspension violated sections 90, 91, 106 and 117 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria and ordered the lawmakers reinstated into their positions with immediate effect.
The trial judge also awarded N5 million damages against the state lawmakers.
Aside Ogundeji, other suspended lawmakers are Adewale Williams, Tomide Akinribido and Favour Semilore Tomomowe.
Read Also: Just In: Ondo Assembly Begins Process To Impeach Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi
The lawmakers were allegedly suspended indefinitely on July 8, 2020 by their colleagues due to their refusal to sign the impeachment notice the house issued against the state Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, who dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
