Kogi deputy governor’s impeachment: Court assures expeditious dispensation of case
Justice
Olorunfemi Richard of the Kogi State High Court has expressed the determination
of the court in ensuring expeditious dispensation of the case challenging the
impeachment of Elder Simon Achuba as Kogi deputy governor by the state
Assembly.
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Elder Simon Achuba |
He gave
the assurance on Friday while ruling on an application as to whether the
originating summons brought by the claimant in the matter could be taken
concurrently with preliminary objections filed by the defendant.
Lead
counsel to the claimant (Achuba), Jibrin Okutepa had at the last sitting argued
that apart from the application for joinder by the Clerk of the assembly which
should be taken separately, all other preliminary objections applications by
the defendant counsel should be taken side by side with the originating summons
given the need for expeditious dispensation of the matter and in the interest
of justice for his client.
But
counsel to the defendant opposed that and said arguing their preliminary
objections should first be taken and thereafter, the application for joinder before
hearing of the originating summons should begin.
In his
ruling on the application at the resumed sitting on Friday, the presiding judge
held that all preliminary objections would be taken alongside hearing of the
originating summon.
He held
that given the time-bound nature of the matter and the need for expeditious
dispensation of justice, there was need for counsels in the matter to ensure
prompt filing of all processes and avoid all delay tactics that could slow down
the proceedings of the court in respect to the matter.
He
therefore adjourned the matter to December 13 to take the application for
joinder by the Clerk of Kogi assembly and hearing of the originating summons.
Reacting to the ruling, one of the counsels to the claimant, Sam Unwuchola Esq expressed
gratitude for the ruling. Achuba had approached the court via an originating
summons to challenge his impeachment by the state Assembly and subsequent
swearing-in of Edward Onoja as deputy governor.
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