The Ondo Division of the Court of Appeal has nullified the expulsion of Hon. Iroju Ogundeji, former Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, who had already completed his tenure four years prior.
The State High Court, presided over by Justice Akintan Osadebey, had previously ruled in favor of Ogundeji, who was suspended and removed from his position in the ninth Assembly.
The Ondo State House of Assembly had appealed the State High Court’s judgment, which had reinstated Ogundeji.
Ogundeji, representing Odigbo State Constituency, was suspended from the Assembly and removed as Deputy Speaker, completing his term while under suspension.
However, the Assembly challenged the lower court’s ruling, citing procedural issues and arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction.
In a unanimous decision delivered today, the appellate court, led by Justice Oyebisi Folayemi Omoleye, overturned the removal of Hon. Ogundeji and reinstated him to his former position.
The court upheld the previous judgment by Justice Akintan Osadebey and rejected the Assembly’s appeal, ruling that Ogundeji’s removal was unconstitutional.
The court also ordered the reinstatement of Ogundeji, payment of all outstanding entitlements, and immediate restoration of his office privileges.
In addition, Justice Osadebey awarded the lawmaker N10 million in damages for the humiliation and distress suffered during his unlawful impeachment and suspension.
The appellate court also threw out all appeals filed by the Assembly, ordered the payment of Ogundeji’s outstanding entitlements as a lawmaker, and directed the payment of Ogundeji’s entitlements as Deputy Speaker of the ninth Assembly.
