Lawyer apologises as Osun petitioner Judge fails to appear before Assembly panel

The ad-hoc investigative committee set up by the Osun State House of Assembly to investigate the petition by a serving judge in the state, Folahanmi Oloyede, asking for the impeachment of Governor Rauf Aregbesola waited in vain on Tuesday as the petitioner judge failed to appear as summoned.
Rather, Oloyede sent a lawyer, Mr. Lanre Ogunlesi (SAN), to represent her and the attention of the lawyer was called to the fact that Oloyede had breached many rules in her failure to appear as well as in the signing of the petition.
Oloyede’s lawyer could not make any headway before the panel as he also concurred with the panel which called his attention to the fact that Oloyede had signified in her petition that she was ready to face the House of Assembly to substantiate her allegations against the governor.
However, her lawyer asked for a copy of the response sent by the governor to Oloyede’s petition, a request which was promptly turned down by the panel.
The Committee chairman, Hon Akintunde Adegboye, said Oloyede had broken three rules of the parliament already in wrong filing, signing and appearance in line with order 126 (1-6) of the House of Assembly.
Adegboye further drew Ogunlesi’s attention to a law maxim “he who alleges must prove” to which Ogunlesi concurred and pleaded with the panel to pardon Oloyede.
While arguing for the response of the governor before the judge could appear, the panel chair said Oloyede’s petition at the fourth paragraph was categorical on her readiness to appear with her evidences to back up her petition, saying the committee could not play “Father Christmas” in giving what was not requested for ab initio.
Oloyede pleaded for another opportunity to be given to his client to come and discharge the burden of her proof, to which the committee agreed within the frame of two weeks given to the committee.
Justice Oloyede had earlier petitioned the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam, urging the House of Assembly to investigate Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori, over alleged financial impropriety.
Her petition had generated so much tension and debate.
On the strength of the petition, a group called for a protest in support of the judge.
However, many have also condemned Oloyede for allowing herself to be used by politicians in the state.