A state High court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital has struck out a suit challenging the powers of Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to appoint Hon. Gbenga Edema to the position of the chairman of Ondo state oil producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
following his appointment as Osopadec boss, there was strong protest against his candidacy from the Ugbo extraction of Ilaje kingdom, a fall out of which was this suit instituted against the state government. While striking out the suit, the Presiding Judge, Justice Adegoroye having listened to the plea of the counsel of communities challenging Edema’s appointment ruled that the the claim of the communities to challenge the prerogative power of the state Governor was clearly unknown to law. Thus, their case was struck out for lacking in substance and locus standi. Justice Adegoroye also awarded a cost of # 25,000 against the plaintiff.
In his reaction, counsel to the state government noted that the allegation of the oil communities does not have any feet to stand in law, adding that a state Governor has the mandate of his people to appoint to position any personage he is convinced will do the job well without bias to his or her place of origin. The state counsel, Charles Titiloye said the essence of the suit was just to disturb the State Governor, adding that as far as the constitution of Nigeria is concerned, Governor’s action on his appointments cannot be questioned.
Hon. Gbenga Edema said the decision of the honourable court to strike out the case was a victory for the entire Ilaje nation, asking all the communities to join hands with him to bring development to the area.
