A Federal High Court in Akure has issued a warrant for the arrest of six lawmakers of Ondo State House of Assembly following their absence in court in a case between the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, and the Assembly.
The lawmakers are Jamiu Maito, Festus Akingbaso, Rasheed Elegbeleye, Samuel Edamisan, Success Torhukerhijo and Adeyemi Olayemi.
Ajayi had, in a suit filed at the court, alleged that the House of Assembly infringed on his right to political beliefs.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Abdul Dogo, said the court reserved the power to order arrest of the lawmakers, following their third consecutive non-appearance in court since hearing in the case commenced.
Dogo noted that the court has given ample opportunity for the defendants to appear in court.
While asking the Commisioner of Police to carry out the order on the affected lawmakers, Justice Dogo urged the lawmakers to live by example, adding that the case would have been resolved amicably if they had made themselves available in court.
Speaking, counsel to the defendants who is the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Titiloye, explained that there was application to commit the defendants for their non obedience to court’s order instituted by Ajayi.
He added that the court was of the opinion that the proceeding must have in attendance all members of the Assembly thus directed that they must appear in court today.
“But what we are saying is that there is no court order on the House of Assembly. Therefore, the application itself is an abuse of court. But court insisted that all members must be present.
“Unfortunately, some of them were not able to appear. However, the matter had been adjourned. There is nothing special about that. I think it is a matter that has to run its own course,” he stated.
Counsel to the applicant, Babs Akinwumi, however noted that the suit against the House of Assembly was filed to challenge the breach of the right of Ajayi.
Hearing has been adjourned till February 15, 2021.
