Ekiti set to implement Supreme Court’s verdict on council relocation

The Ekiti State Government has begun moves to implement the
decision of the Supreme Court on a council relocation.

The court had in a judgment delivered by Justice Bode
Rhodes-Vivour on December 14, 2018, ordered the relocation of
Ilejemeje council headquarters from Iye to Eda Oniyo.

It ended a 19-year battle, which began at the state high
court.

The apex court held that the establishment of the headquarters
of the Local Government in Eda Oniyo was backed by statute and
could not be relocated elsewhere without the promulgation of a new
law.

The seven-man committee constituted by the state government to
examine the apex court’s decision paid a fact-finding visit to Iye
and Eda Oniyo yesterday.

The panel, chaired by the deputy governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi,
who interfaced with the people of the two communities, urged them
to give peace a chance in the wake of the court’s verdict.

According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant
(Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi said the panel visited the two
communities to see what is on the ground, having received documents
from both parties.

Egbeyemi explained that the visit was part of the assignment of
the panel, which would turn in its report to Governor Kayode
Fayemi.

The deputy governor stressed that government was interested in
ensuring that peace reigns in all communities in the state
appealing to indigenes of Iye and Eda Oniyo not to engage in any
act that could disrupt the peace enjoyed in the State.

Egbeyemi led other members of the panel to visit the present
local government secretariat and the palace of the Oniye, where he
met with the monarch, Oba Jonathan Adeleye-Oni and community
leaders, including Afenifere leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi.

He also visited Eda Oniyo, where a building that has been
designated as the temporary local government secretariat and the
permanent site of the council secretariat.

The deputy governor and his team made up of panel members and
officials of Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
were received by the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola.