The Abuja Federal High Court has adjourned to April 23, 2021, for Judgement in the suit by the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Oluwatoyin Akerdeolu.
In the suit, Justice Akeredolu claimed among others that the Ondo State Governor and the State House of Assembly are plotting to remove her from office under the pretext of investigation of allegations made in a viral video by Olupelumi Fagboyegun, alleging that the Chief Judge influenced his detention for about three years.
The suit has the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the National Judicial Council (NJC), Ondo State Governor, Ondo State Attorney General (AG), the State House of Assembly, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as defendants.
At the mention of the case on Friday, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, informed the court that all the defendants have replied on point of Law, and urged the court to deliver judgement in favour of his client.
The counsel for the National Judicial Council urged the court to strike out their name from the suit, stating that their presence in the matter has no relevance.
Counsel for the Attorney General also adopted their final written addresses before the court.
Justice Inyang Ekwo who had cautioned against delay in the case initially, after listening to the lawyers, said there was no need to spend so much time on the matter.
Also Read: House of Reps seeks restrictions on use of foreign vessels in domestic activities
Noting the commencement of the courts vacation on 29 March, he therefore adjourned to 23rd April, 2021 for Judgment.
The court had, in an ex-parte ruling on February 25, 2021, restrained the Ondo State Governor and defendants in the case from taking any further steps in relation to the alleged probe of the State Chief Judge, Justice Akeredolu, over the viral video alleged to have been made by Fagboyegun.
Justice Ekwo particularly restrained the Governor, the AG, and the House of Assembly from proceeding with the planned probe, and equally barred the AGF, NJC, and the IGP from acting on any report submitted to them by the Ondo State government pending the determination of the main suit.
( Editor: Omor Bazuaye)
