By The Federal High Court of Ado Ekiti Division in Ekiti State Capital yesterday December 10 2018, dismissed the suit filed by the former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni challenging the eligibility of Governor Kayode Fayemi to contest the July 14 election that brought him to the government house for the second time.
Supporters of the Governor took to the streets amidst dancing and shouts of victory at the Pavilion and Fajuyi park after the case which had earlier begun in an Abuja Division of Federal High Court was transferred to Ado Ekiti last month.
Oni challenged Fayemi’s eligibility based on the fact that the governor did not resign his appointment as a minister 30 days before the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) primary election. Oni, an aspirant for the same position Fayemi now occupies in the primary election, also alleged Fayemi to have been indicted by the Justice Silas Oyewole led commission of inquiry last year.
One would recall that the commission was constituted by Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of the state to probe the finances of the state government when the incumbent was at the helm of affairs between 2010 and 2014.
Justice Uche Agomoh while delivering her two-hour judgement on Monday, dismissed the suit for lacking in Merit. In her words, “I am of the firm view that the originating summons is hereby dismissed.”
According to Agomoh, Fayemi as a minister of the federation was not a public servant but a political office holder and an appointee of the President, hence the 30 days resignation stipulation did not apply.
In reaction, the counsel to Oni has promised to study this judgement to determine the next cause of action.
