Photo: Gov Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.
Akeredolu’s Health: Court orders Ondo Assembly to appoint medical panel
An Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure has granted leave to applicants in a suit, seeking an Order of Mandamus to compel the House of Assembly and the Speaker to constitute a medical panel to assess Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health status.
The suit was brought before the court by Olufemi Lawson, Isijola Kike, Ologun Ayodeji and Arogbo Olaniyi.
The call for a medical panel is to provide clarity on Governor Akeredolu’s health, having been away from the state for nearly six months.
The applicants had filed an exparte motion before the court on October 25, 2023.
It was brought before the court pursuant to Section 6(6b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Order 22 Rule 1 of the Ondo State High Court rules.
The applicants prayed for an Order of Mandamus against the first and second respondents to compel them to carry out statutory and constitutional duties on the third respondent as stipulated under Section 189(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
They predicated their application on 11 grounds and in line with the rules of court, the applicant’s statement of claim and a 30-paragraph affidavit.
Upon the submission of the legal team of the applicant led by Dotun Ajulo, Fadeshola Ojamomi, A.V Ajayi and K.A Mogbojuri, the court ruled thereof.
Justice A. I Kolawole held that the hurdles and lacuna associated with Public Interest litigation have since been set aside in the case of Adetona vs the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Inakoju v Adeleke.
The Court, therefore, granted leave for mandamus to compel the first and second respondents to carry out their constitutional duties pursuant to Section 189(4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to January 11, 2024.
