Police summon Ondo PDP lawmakers to Abuja
Posted by: Damisi Ojo in News

The lawmakers representing Ilaje I and II in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Malachi Coker and Abayomi Coker, have been summoned to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
This followed their resumption and swearing in without certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The duo escaped arrest last Wednesday when police detectives stormed the premises of the Election Petition Tribunal, Akure.
It was gathered that the lawmakers were covered by “immunity” in the court. Sources said the Speaker, Princess Jumoke Akindele, mobilised other lawmakers to intervene in the matter.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for Ilaje I and II, Gbenga Edema and Leke Adegboye, had petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase.
They urged the IG to probe the alleged impersonation and unlawful swearing-in of Akinruntan and Malachi by the Assembly Clerk.
It was learnt that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Segun Agbaje, had declared elections in the two Ilaje constituencies as inconclusive due to alleged irregularities.
Consequently, INEC did not give certificates of return to the two members-elect on May 5 when it presented certificates to 24 members-elect.
A June 8 petition by Charles Titiloye on behalf of the APC candidates noted that the Clerk confirmed the writ of returns and roll call of the 26 members-elect on June 1 with Akinruntan and Malachi as No 6 and 20 on the attendance list.
The petition reads: “We are aware that for a member-elect to be sworn-in as a lawmaker, the presentation of certificate of return should be a pre-condition in compliance with the Electoral Act.
“Based on this fact, we sought clarification from INEC on whether the certificates of return have been issued to the two lawmakers as at June 4 and INEC replied the second day that no certificates of return were issued in respect of the two members-elect.
“It is instructive to note that Section 75 of the Electoral Act 2010 makes issuance of a certificate of return mandatory for any person who has won election in Nigeria before he/she could be sworn in.
“Section 99 of the 1999 Constitution states that any person who sits or votes in a House of Assembly knowing or having reasonable grounds for knowing that he is not entitled to do so shall be guilty of an offence and shall upon conviction be liable to a term of imprisonment.”
The petitioners urged the IG to probe the fraudulent move and demanded justice to facilitate the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari administration.
Edema yesterday confirmed that he was on his way to Abuja.
It was learnt that the Clerk may also be quizzed by the police.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/police-summon-ondo-pdp-lawmakers-to-abuja/

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