The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, on Tuesday, overturned the dismissal of Mr. Iroju Ogundeji, a former Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, ordering his reinstatement.
The judgment marks the conclusion of a four-year legal battle that began with Ogundeji’s removal in 2020.
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Ogundeji, who represented Odigbo Constituency 2, was ousted from his position following a disagreement with the leadership of the 9th Assembly, then headed by Speaker Bamidele Oloyeloogun.
Following his removal, Ogundeji was replaced by Samuel Aderoboye, who served as Deputy Speaker until the Assembly’s term ended in 2023.
After his removal, Ogundeji sought redress at the Ondo State High Court, which ruled in his favor and ordered his reinstatement.
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However, the House of Assembly challenged the ruling, appealing the decision of Justice Akintan Osadebey at the state’s high court.
In a unanimous decision, the appellate court, comprising Justices Oyebisi Omoleye, Frederick Oziakpono-Oho, and Yusuf Bashir, upheld the judgment of the lower court.
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The Court of Appeal found that Ogundeji had not been given a fair hearing before his removal, rendering the Assembly’s decision null and void.
The court ordered that Ogundeji be reinstated to his position as Deputy Speaker and that he receive all entitlements due to him during his tenure in the 9th Assembly.
The ruling reinforces the principle of fair hearing in legislative procedures and marks a significant victory for Ogundeji in his pursuit of justice.
