(Apples Bite Magazine) IJEBU ODE – An Ogun State High Court has declared the impeachment of former Ijebu East Local Government Chairman, Wale Adedayo, null and void, delivering a major legal victory for the embattled council boss.
Justice Catherine Ogunsanya of Ogun State High Court 1 in Ijebu Ode delivered the ruling on Tuesday, striking down the impeachment process carried out by seven councillors of the local government.
Adedayo’s removal from office stemmed from a controversial letter he wrote accusing the Ogun State Government of failing to remit federal allocations to local governments across the state. The allegation sparked a swift response from seven councillors who moved to impeach him from his position as chairman.
Challenging the legality of his removal, Adedayo approached the court through his legal team from CitiPoint Chambers, represented by Tesleem Adewuyi. His lawyers argued that the impeachment process violated established legal procedures and constitutional provisions.
After reviewing the case, Justice Ogunsanya sided with the former chairman, ruling that the impeachment was conducted improperly and therefore had no legal standing.
The judgment represents a significant development in the ongoing tensions between local government administrations and the Ogun State Government over financial allocations. The court’s decision raises questions about the autonomy of local government officials to raise concerns about fiscal matters without facing retaliatory action.
The ruling potentially paves the way for Adedayo’s reinstatement, though it remains unclear whether the state government or the councillors will appeal the decision.
