An Akure High Court has restrained the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly from declaring the seat of the lawmaker representing the Eseodo constituency, Hon Success Torhukerhijo vacant over alleged anti-party activities.
In addition to the Speaker, the court, presided over by Justice Alero Akeredolu, barred the State House of Assembly, the Speaker, David Oleyeloogun, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from doing anything that would jeopardize the outcome of the case pending before the court.
The State House of Assembly had in August declared the seat of Torhukerhijo representing the Ese-Odo constituency vacant over allegations of anti-party activities leveled against him by the State Chairman of APC.
He was alleged to have defected to another People’s Democratic Party (PDP) where he contested the primary for House of Representatives.
But the lawmaker through his lawyer, Mr. Dipo Torhukerhijo dragged the Assembly, the APC, Oleyeloogun, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court challenging the legality of their action in declaring his seat vacant.
In order granted exparte on Wednesday, Justice Akeredolu who read the exhibits and affidavits attached to the motion said it would be in the interest of justice to preserve the subject matter of the suit and subsequently gave an order halting anything step has to do with the declaration of the seat vacant.
