Court Orders Ondo Assembly To Constitute Medical Panel To Assess Gov. Akeredolu’s Health Status

The Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday ordered the Ondo State House Assembly and the Speaker of the House to constitute a medical panel to assess Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health status.

The court gave the order when it granted leave to applicants in a suit brought before it by Olufemi Lawson, Isijola Kike, Ologun Ayodeji and Arogbo Olaniyi, seeking an Order of Mandamus.

The suit underscores the paramount importance of upholding public trust and ensuring transparency by elected officials.

The call for a medical panel in the suit sought to provide clarity on Governor Akeredolu’s health, having been away from the state for nearly six months on health grounds.

The applicants filed an ex parte motion before the court on October 25, 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.

In the suit, the applicants prayed the court for an order of mandamus against the State House of Assembly and the Speaker of the House to compel them to carry out statutory and constitutional duties on Governor Akeredolu as stipulated under section 189(4) as amended of the 1999 constitution.

The suit was predicated on 11 grounds and in line with the rules of court, the applicants’ statement of claim and a 30-paragraph affidavit.

Attached to the affidavit is one exhibit marked exhibit A, which is a letter written to the second respondent by the applicant through their counsel, and the applicants in line with the rules of court, relied heavily on all that is contained in the written address.

Upon submission of the legal team to the applicants led by Dotun Ajulo, Fadeshola Ojamomi, A.V Àjàyí and K.A Mogbojuri, Justice A. I. Kolawole, in his ruling, stated that the hurdles and lacuna associated with public interest litigation had been set aside in the case of Adetona Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria and Inakoju Vs Adeleke.

Justice Kolawole therefore granted leave for mandamus to compel the State House and the Speaker of the House to carry out their constitutional duties pursuant to section 189(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to January 11, 2024.