Court affirms Adetimehin as Ondo APC chairman

A Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo state, on Tuesday
dismissed a suit challenging the suspension of the Chairman of the
All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Hon. Isaacs
Kekemeke.

The court however upheld that the appointment of Mr Ade
Adetimehin as the state Acting Chairman was in order.

Two members of the party, Gboyega Adedipe and Desmond Dejumola
had approached the court, challenging the suspension of Kekemeke by
the party leadership in the state.

The Court, however, held that the two plaintiffs, Adedipe and
Dejumolad lacked the locus standi to institute the case, saying
only the sacked Chairman has the power to challenge his suspension
in Court.

The court further said Kekemeke can only approach the court
after he might have explored all the provided internal mechanism of
dispute resolution as contained in the APC Constitution.

Delivering the judgement, Justice F.A. Olubanjo ruled that the
decision of an investigative panel that indicted Mr Kekemeke and
the party’s state executive meeting held in June 2017 where he was
suspended remained valid and should have been challenged internally
by the plaintiffs rather than resorting to a court’s action.

Reacting to the verdict, however, Lawyer to the plaintiffs, Mr
Olugboyero Akinola said his clients would file a stay of execution
and appeal against the judgement at the court of appeal
immediately.

He noted that the judge refused to rule on the substantive suit
that would have dealt with the issue at hand, saying his client
would not accept the judgement.

Also reacting, Counsel to the defendants, Mr Femi Emodamori said
the judgement reflected the true position of the APC Constitution,
Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Emodamori expressed satisfaction with the decision of the court
to uphold preliminary objections against the suit.

It will be recalled that Kekemeke was suspended as the party
Chairman in the state over an allegation of not discharging his
duty appropriately

He was also accused of working against the interest of the
party’s candidate in the 2016 governorship election, Mr Rotimi
Akeredolu

A Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo state, on Tuesday
dismissed a suit challenging the suspension of the Chairman of the
All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Hon. Isaacs
Kekemeke.

The court however upheld that the appointment of Mr Ade
Adetimehin as the state Acting Chairman was in order.

Two members of the party, Gboyega Adedipe and Desmond Dejumola
had approached the court, challenging the suspension of Kekemeke by
the party leadership in the state.

The Court, however, held that the two plaintiffs, Adedipe and
Dejumolad lacked the locus standi to institute the case, saying
only the sacked Chairman has the power to challenge his suspension
in Court.

The court further said Kekemeke can only approach the court
after he might have explored all the provided internal mechanism of
dispute resolution as contained in the APC Constitution.

Delivering the judgement, Justice F.A. Olubanjo ruled that the
decision of an investigative panel that indicted Mr Kekemeke and
the party’s state executive meeting held in June 2017 where he was
suspended remained valid and should have been challenged internally
by the plaintiffs rather than resorting to a court’s action.

Reacting to the verdict, however, Lawyer to the plaintiffs, Mr
Olugboyero Akinola said his clients would file a stay of execution
and appeal against the judgement at the court of appeal
immediately.

He noted that the judge refused to rule on the substantive suit
that would have dealt with the issue at hand, saying his client
would not accept the judgement.

Also reacting, Counsel to the defendants, Mr Femi Emodamori said
the judgement reflected the true position of the APC Constitution,
Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Emodamori expressed satisfaction with the decision of the court
to uphold preliminary objections against the suit.

It will be recalled that Kekemeke was suspended as the party
Chairman in the state over an allegation of not discharging his
duty appropriately

He was also accused of working against the interest of the
party’s candidate in the 2016 governorship election, Mr Rotimi
Akeredolu