By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Few hours after the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan dismissed the suit filed by state’s Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan against his planned impeachment, the state Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola on Thursday, set up a 7-man panel to investigate allegations by the Oyo State House of Assembly against the deputy governor.
According to a statement by the Oyo State High Court Information Officer, Mrs Comfort Udoh, Justice Abimbola while inaugurating the panel, charged its members to have the fear of God and act in accordance with their conscience and to be fair and just in the discharge of their duties.
The statement stressed that members of the panel were, “men of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political parties have been constituted to investigate the allegations against the deputy governor as provided under section 188(5) of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
It noted that members of the panel were selected after due consultation with relevant stakeholders including, Muslim community, Christian community, Justice of peace (JP) and legal profession among others.
“The Honourable Chief Judge of Oyo state, Hon. Justice Munta Ladipo Abimbola on Thursday, 14th July, 2022 constituted a 7-man Investigating panel in pursuant to the resolution of the House of Assembly of Oyo State, and as requested by the Honourable Speaker of the House Debo Ogundoyin by a letter dated 6th July, 2022, and by the virtue of power conferred on his lordship by section 188 (5) of the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria”, it said.
It added, ” The delay in the inauguration of the members of the panel of investigation was due to the pending suit against the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State which Judgement was delivered yesterday, 14th July, 2022 by Hon. Justice A.L. Akintola who dismissed the claim of the deputy governor.”
The statement gave names of the panel members as Chief Kayode Christopher (Chairman), Arc. Adebisi Soyombo, Chief Lawal Adekunle Dauda, Princess Olanike Olusegun, Rev Fr. Patrick Ademola, Chief Mrs Wuraola Adepoju (JP), Alh. Tirimisiyu Akewusola Badmus
” After various consultation with communities in the state such as Muslim community, Christian community, Justice of peace (JP) and legal profession, Chief Kayode Christopher (Chairman), Arc. Adebisi Soyombo, Chief Lawal Adekunle Dauda, Princess Olanike Olusegun, Rev Fr. Patrick Ademola, Chief Mrs Wuraola Adepoju (JP), Alh. Tirimisiyu Akewusola Badmus having being found worthy to be men of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political parties have been constituted to investigate the allegations against the deputy governor as provided under section 188(5) of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It will be recalled that an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola on Thursday dismissed a suit filed by the Oyo state deputy governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan to challenge the propriety of the procedures by the lawmakers.
Engineer Olaniyan Counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, immediately after the dismissal of the suit by Justice Akintola filed a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution of the judgement at the Appeal court.
