An Ogun State High Court yesterday ruled that Tunji Egbetokun remains Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, putting an end to the three-year-old trial of a suit instituted by Titi Oseni, the former Speaker, who was impeached in 2008.

Ms. Oseni had instituted the suit, number AB/236/08, against Egbetokun, Ogun State House of Assembly, and other 25 lawmakers, alleging she was wrongfully removed as a Speaker by her colleagues at the sitting of May 15, 2008.

The impeached Speaker, through her lead counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde, therefore, prayed the court to set aside the proceedings of the sitting and restrain Mr. Egbetokun from parading himself as Speaker of the House.

Counsel to Mr. Egbetokun and the House of Assembly, in the case which was instituted in 2008, Abraham Adeoye, raised an objection to the suit. He based the objection on the ground that the case was not properly brought before the court and that it failed to disclose a reasonable course of action, among other irregularities.

The counsel argued that the removal of Ms. Oseni and other principal officers of the House of Assembly was purely the business of the lawmakers, which the court cannot interfere with, except such removal violates the provision of the nation’s constitution.

The presiding judge, Gboyega Ogunfowora, agreed that the issue of removal is a matter the court cannot dabble into, and therefore, struck out the suit and upheld Mr. Egbetokun as the Speaker.

Costs against

The judge also awarded N10, 000 costs against Titi Oseni. Mr. Adeoye, while reacting to the ruling, described it as victory for democracy and the rule of law.

“The beauty of it is that it also shows that we have firm good judges that could be counted upon, even in the present situation. I, therefore, prayed that the warring factions abide by the ruling and allow peace to reign,” the counsel stated.

Mr. Egbetokun also said the development showed that the situation in Ogun State is like a stage, “where the executive, legislature, and judiciary are prominent actors.”

He also commended the judiciary over the judgment.