Court fixes June 22 for ruling on Osoba’s case

Justice Aderemi Adegoroye of the Ondo state High Court sitting in Akure has fixed ruling in applications filed in a suit challenging the eligibility in office of the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Tayo Osoba for June 22.

The written application filed by Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) bothers on extension of time and memorandum of appearance for the Acting Chief Judge in the case instituted by an Akure-based lawyer, Femi Emodamori.

TVC’s Ayodeji Moradeyo reports that at the resumed hearing of the case, Genevieve Okoye from Dayo Akinlaja
chambers told the Court that applications for extension of time and memorandum of appearance as agreed upon during the last sitting have been filed.

Okoye stressed the need for speedy trial of the case, saying unnecessary technicalities should be avoided by all parties in the suit.

On his part, the complainant, Femi Emodamori, after announcing appearance for himself, told the court that he had filed a written preliminary objection against the competence of Dayo Akinlaja’s application.

He prayed the court to strike out Akinlaja’s application to appear for the Acting Chief Judge because it was filed out of time.

Citing several court orders, Emodamori explained that even the application for extension of time comes with penalty which the court cannot waive.

Counsel to the state government, Batife Phillips said he withdrew his appearance for Osoba to enable Akinlaja take over within the stipulated time .

Both Philips and Emodamori also expressed their readiness to ensure speedy trial of the case.

After listening to the parties, the trial judge, Justice Aderemi Adegoroye adjourned ruling on the application for extension of time and sought cooperation for speedy adjudication of the case.