Thread by @InibeheEffiong

During my NYSC programme, my PPA was the Ministry of Justice, Ondo State where I worked under the DPP as a Legal Officer.

I appeared before Hon. Justice O. O. Akeredolu of the Ondo State Judiciary who is now the State Chief Judge a number of times during my service year.

Justice Akeredolu is about the most dreaded Judge in Ondo State. His Lordship is very fierce and is seen by some lawyers as hostile. But I NEVER doubted her integrity as a no nonsense judge.

It is heartwarming to read this letter from the Learned Chief Judge to the Speaker of the House of Assembly rejecting the unconstitutional request by the Speaker of the Assembly for His Lordship to constitute a Panel to probe the allegations levelled against the Deputy Governor.

Section 188 of the Constitution is clear on the procedure for removal of a deputy governor.

Unlike the Chief Judge of Kogi State who allowed Governor Yahaya Bello to use him to remove his erstwhile deputy by unconstitutional means, Justice Akeredolu is having none of it.

She has asserted her authority and upheld her oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

I commend His Lordship for the courageous position that she has taken.

I have no interest in the partisan and political imbroglio in Ondo State.

If the House of Assembly feels that the deputy governor has committed gross misconduct and they want to impeach him, the House must strictly comply with the constitutional process outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution.

The Assembly must have the requisite quorum. They must give the deputy governor a fair hearing and also follow other procedural requirements religiously.

I hope other judicial officers in the country will be inspired by the courageous position taken by Hon. Justice Akeredolu.