Court halts Gov. Fayose’s impeachment

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, set aside all actions and activities of the factional former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers from November 21, 2014 till date, including the purported commencement of impeachment proceedings and notice alleging misconduct against the State Governor, Ayodele Fayose and his Deputy, Dr Olusola Eleka.

Justice E. Chukwu gave the ruling on an Exparte Application in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/361/15 filed by the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Dele Olugbemi and six other Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers.


The judge also granted plaintiffs in the suit leave to serve the originating summons on the defendants through newspaper advertisements.

Olugbemi and six others had filed the suit, seeking an order of the court declaring the seats of 19 lawmakers vacant having abdicated their functions since November 21, 2014 and also an order restraining the police from aiding, abetting or assisting the lawmakers from carrying out any illegal act.

Apart from Omirin and the APC legislators, also joined as defendants in the suit are the Inspector General of Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Hearing of the motion on notice has been adjourned till May 13.

Credit: Gbenga Ariyibi/Vanguard