Wilson Adekumola
The suspension of a former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dare Kadiri, has been nullified by the Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta on Friday.
The suspension of the lawmaker was decleared unconstitutional by the court.
Justice O. A. Onafowokan of the High Court 3, Abeokuta Judicial division, on judgment in a suit brought before the court, also held that the lawmaker’s suspension was an abuse of power and abuse of office by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, the House of Assembly and the Clerk of the House.
The court also held that all emoluments due to the lawmaker, who represents Ijebu North II State Constituency, be paid immediately by the state House of Assembly.
Recall that the House had suspended Kadiri and one other, Solomon Osho, representing Remo North State Constituency, in September 2022, over allegations bordering on breach of the rights and privileges of the state legislature.
The Speaker, who presided over the plenary at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the lawmakers were suspended in line with the provisions of sections 14 and 15 of the Legislative Houses, Powers and Privileges, Act, 2017.
The Speaker claimed during the session that the document containing the suspension of the lawmakers had been signed by the appropriate number of colleague lawmakers, noting that it should be implemented without delay.
It was said, however, the House later pardoned and recalled Osho while Kadiri had to approached the court to challenge his suspension.
