The Federal Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has dismissed the removal of Mr. Iroju Ogundeji, a former deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly, ordering his reinstatement.
This ruling comes four years after Ogundeji initiated a legal challenge against his ousting by the leadership of the 9th Assembly, which was spearheaded by former Speaker Mr. Bamidele Oloyeloogun.
Ogundeji, who served as the representative for Odigbo Constituency 2, was removed from his position in 2020 following a dispute with the House leadership. In his absence, Mr. Samuel Aderoboye was appointed as the new deputy speaker, a role he held until the conclusion of the 9th Assembly in 2023.
Unhappy with his removal, Ogundeji took his case to the state High Court, where Justice Akintan Osadebey ruled in his favor. The court declared his removal illegal, citing that Ogundeji was not granted a fair hearing, as his impeachment was executed before a panel was formed to investigate the matter. Additionally, the judge noted that Ogundeji was not properly served with the impeachment proceedings, rendering the process null and void.
Despite the ruling, the State Assembly, through former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Titiloye Charles, appealed the decision, arguing that the High Court lacked jurisdiction due to a failure to comply with pre-action notice requirements.
However, the appellate court, consisting of Justices Oyebisi Omoleye, Frederick Oziakpono-Oho, and Yusuf Bashir, unanimously upheld the lower court’s decision. The court ordered that Ogundeji be reinstated as deputy speaker of the 9th Assembly and directed that all his entitlements be paid in full.
