Probe Of Ondo CJ: You Can Approach Court If You Find Our Reaction Contemptuous — Gov. Akeredolu Replies Okutepa (SAN)

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*Says Okutepa’s Reaction Did Not Come As A Surprise
*Says Civility Is Not Common
*Okutepa Says He Is Cultured To Engage In Dirty Political Argument
Governor Akeredolu

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, on Sunday, said his
government will continue to respect court order or any issue
relating to his administration.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press
Secretary to the Governor, Mr Richard Olatunde, who said the
governor will not subvert the judgement and position of the Court
on the issue of the Chief judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu.

While reacting to the statements by the counsel to Justice
Akeredolu, Mr Jubrin Okutepa, who alleged that the state
government’s reaction to the ruling on the alleged plan to remove
the CJ from office was “contemptuous”, Akeredolu said he will
continue to respect the court order.

Olatunde said in the statement, said “The attention of the Ondo
State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has been
drawn to a statement made by Mr Jubrin Okutepa, SAN, lead counsel
to the state Chief Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, suggesting
that the state government’s reaction to a court ruling on the
alleged plan to remove the CJ from office was “contemptuous.”

“This statement by the CJ’s lead counsel did not come to the
Governor as a surprise. Only people who understand the import of
the Government statements would refrain from blunders.

“Moreover, Governor Akeredolu recognizes the profundity of
civility. Nevertheless, he also understands that civility is not
common. He, however, takes no offence in the outburst of the lead
counsel.

“Governor Akeredolu challenges Mr Okutepa to feel free to
approach the court if he truly finds the reaction
“contemptuous.”

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had last week ruled that
governor Akeredolu lacks the powers to remove Justice Akeredolu as
the Chief Judge of the state.

When Nairalaw reached out to him, Okutepa, SAN, said he
will not reply Ondo government who engage in tale by moonlight to
score political debating points

According to him, the public knows who engage in political
falsehood. Thus he wouldn’t engage in dirty political argument with
them

“I wouldn’t waste my time reply those who engage in tale by
moonlight defence to score political debating points. The reality
is that reasonable Nigerian public knows the truth and know those
who engage in political falsehood and bringandage.

“I am too cultured to engage in dirty political arguments to
amuse those whose stocks in trade is to act in sabotage and engage
in constitutional insubordination.”