I’ve no confidence in your ability to dispense justice, lawmaker tells CJ

The crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly over the controversial impeachment of Iroju Ogundeji as Deputy Speaker worsened on Monday as the embattled lawmaker asked the Chief Judge of the state, Justice William Akintoroye to hands off his case.

Ogundeji has filed a suit before the court to challenge what he called unlawful removal from office of the Deputy Speaker.

However, the lawmaker in a petition to Justice Akintoroye said he was no longer comfortable with the way the judge was handling his suit before him.

In the letter titled ‘Request for transfer of case”, Ogundeji said the fraternity between the Chief Judge and the defendants was disturbing and his recent elevation as Chief Judge will prevent the speedy dispensation of justice.

The letter read: “The recent elevation and appointment of your Lordship as the Chief Judge will preoccupy your Lordship with a lot of administrative duties which will definitely hamper the speedy prosecution of the case.

“Your lordship has expressed doubt that the case will end in your court when Your Lordship emphatically mentioned in the open court that you hope the case will end at the end of the new legal year (October 2022). A case that had been filed since 1st of December, 2020, which is yet to be heard and the Head of Court cannot guarantee that such case will be concluded in another one year.

“During your Lordship’s confirmation as the Chief Judge on Tuesday, 28th of September, 2021 at the floor of the House, your Lordship expressly praised the speaker of the ODHA and his ‘deputy’ despite having the knowledge that the position of a Deputy Speaker is in contention before your Lordship. Your Lordship expressly said that ”the House was stable in recent times because of the harmony between the Speaker and the’ Deputy Speaker’. The House that is divided against itself will never hold. Affliction will not rise (in the House of Assembly) the second time.”

“The express interpretation of this statement is a direct reference to my estranged relationship with the Speaker as his deputy, whose unlawful impeachment case is pending before your Lordship.

“The speaker of the ODHA, Right Honourable Bamidele Oleyelogun and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice who are defendants and counsel in the matter boasted to me that my case had been settled with your Lordship, more so when your Lordship on the floor of the House of Assembly during your confirmation hearing, promised to work in harmony with the Legislative arm of Government.

“The Attorney-General almost assaulted me immediately we left your court and confidently told me ‘You think you can win this case in court?’ Court officials and other lawyers witnessed this behaviour unbecoming of a Chief Law Officer of a State. The Attorney-General’s behaviour is very suggestive.

“It may interest your Lordship to note that the Court Registrar openly announced to lawyers and litigants present in court on 5th October, 2021, that only part-heard cases in court 2 (your former court) will be heard in the present court 1, and that all other cases have been retained in court 2.

“My case is not part-heard as your Lordship had ordered pleadings to be filed and in accordance with the directive of the court, pleadings had just been completed. Trial has not commenced and no witness has been called. Listing my case to commence hearing in your court contrary to court 2 as specified by the Court clearly suggests interest by the court.

“Consequently, and coupled with the incessant adjournment since first of December, 2020, I am not confident that I will get justice from your Lordship’s court. This is more so that Your Lordship’s interest is highly suggestive of possible interest, bias and prejudice. The video recording of your Lordship’s statement is available on request.”

Ogundeji added that his case be taken to another Judge for impartial adjudication and quick dispensation of justice.