…as affected councilors protest in Ilorin
By Kayode Adeoti
The Kwara State High court has fixed July 18th, to hear the suit filed by the sixteen local government chairmen in the state challenging their dissolution by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
This is coming on the heels of a protest by councilors affected by action of the governor.
Recall that this medium reported in its last edition that the absence of the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Durosinlohun Kawu who traveled out of the state stalled the suit from being heard.
But it was reliably gathered last night that the Chief Judge, whom was said to have just returned, has assigned the suit filed by the council bosses through the office of Wahab Bamidele.
A judiciary source reliably informed National Pilot that the matter has been assigned to Justice E.B Muhammed and it will be coming up for mention for the first time on the said date.
Part of the court processes tagged, ‘notice of consequence of disobedience to judgment/order of court was sighted by this medium last night signed by the court registrar dated 19th June, 2019.
“…unless you obey the directions contained in the judgment and order herewith attached to this notice earlier served on you , you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison,” the process revealed.
It was learnt that that the Governor and House of Assembly who are the defendants have been served with the court processes.
The affected council chairmen recently filed contempt charges against Governor Abdulrazaq, the State House of Assembly and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice challenging their suspension by the Governor who relied on the recommendation House for allegedly misappropriation N33billion, following a resolution of the House after it considered a petition written by one Seidu Aliyu and presented at the plenary.
The state governor however suspended the 16 local government Council executive and legislative committees.
Meanwhile, the affected councilors in the council have held a peaceful demonstration to the House of Assembly calling for their reinstatement. The councilors who were received by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Raphael Adetiba Olarewaju,told the leadership of the House that were democratically elected by the people and as such should not be dissolved by fiat.
Olarewaju assured them that their grievances are well noted and their message will be communicated to the speaker.
