Legal luminaries fault removal of Gboyega Aribisogan as speaker of Ekiti assembly

Seven legal luminaries have faulted the removal of Gboyega Aribisogan as the speaker of Ekiti state house of assembly and his replacement by Olubunmi Adelugba.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) said Aribisogan was unlawfully removed, adding that what they called the democratic rascality  must stop at the assembly.

The statement was signed by Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Wole Olanipekun, and five other SANs – Dele Adesina, Olu Daramola, Femi Falana, Dayo Akinlaja, and Gboyega Oyewole.

Aribisogan from Ikole constituency I was elected last week with 15 votes to defeat his challenger Bunmi Adelugba from Emure constituency who scored 10 votes during the election conducted by the clerk of the house to replace the late speaker, Funminiyi Afuye.

However, in a twist of events, some lawmakers regrouped on Monday at the plenary and elected Adelugba as the new speaker following the reported impeachment of Aribisogan for allegedly sabotaging the passage of the 2022 appropriation bill, among other allegations.

The statement expresses regret over the alleged violations of the principle of fair hearing in the entire process by the political gladiators in the All Progressives Congress.

It explains that Aribisogan who was elected by the majority of lawmakers last week ought to have been given enough time to respond to allegations against him before his removal

It adds that the impeachment would be challenged in court in the interest of peace in the state and rule of law.

The statements also calls  on the state council of traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state to intervene towards finding a lasting solution to the impasse

It further states that leading lawyers from Ekiti state in the country would in a matter of days release a joint statement on the issue.