Ondo Assembly says former deputy speaker remains expelled despite court order
Tamarauemi Ebimini
The Ondo State House of Assembly says its impeached deputy speaker, Iroju Ogundeji, is no longer a member of the house.
The House stated this despite a judgement of the state high court ordering the reinstatement of Mr Ogundeji.
The lawmakers said Mr Ogundeji was expelled from the House last year at a plenary and cannot be reinstated as deputy speaker, as ordered by the court.
The assembly on Thursday filed an appeal against the judgment ordering the reinstatement of Mr Ogundeji, who was impeached in 2020 over charges of misconduct.
He ran into trouble with his colleagues after leading some of them in opposing the impeachment of the then deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi.
Mr Ogundeji went to court to seek redress and the court on Wednesday declared that he was unlawfully removed having not been given a fair chance to defend himself.
He was expelled with some other members who also challenged the decision in court.
The spokesperson of the Assembly, Olugbenga Omole, in a statement on Friday, said the judgement of the lower court was an interference in the affairs of the House.
The courts are yet to fix dates for hearing of the processes filed by the assembly.
Those expelled with Mr Ogundeji were Success Torhukerhijo, representing Ese-Odo and Favour Towomewo, representing Ilaje II.
