A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has cleared Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) to contest the forthcoming Ogun West Senatorial District election.
The decision was delivered in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/132/2022 – Johnson Akinsanya & 2ors V. Senator Olamilekan Adeola & 2 Others. The plaintiffs had approached the court to challenge the propriety of Yayi’s candidacy on the ground that he is a serving Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District and had earlier represented Alimosho state and federal constituencies in the Lagos House of Assembly and House of Representatives.
The plaintiffs prayed that Senator Tolulope Odebiyi, who contested the APC primaries, be declared as the rightful candidate.
In dismissing the case with costs of N4m awarded in Sen. Olamilekan’s favour, the court held amongst others that the plaintiffs lack locus standi to challenge his victory because they were not aspirants at the APC primary elections and also that the Senator did not breach any provision of the constitution.
Upon initiation of the suit by the plaintiffs through their lawyer, Seni Adio, SAN, Senator Olamilekan had challenged the jurisdiction of the court through his counsel, Bode Olanipekun, SAN on several grounds which include lack of locus standi and non disclosure of reasonable cause of Action. Babatunde Ogala, SAN had also filed objections to the Plaintiffs on behalf of the APC.
Delivering judgment on 8/12/22, Justice J.O Abdulmalik upheld the objections filed by Sen. Olamilekan and APC in dismissing the suit with N4m cost.
With this decision, the coast is finally clear for Sen. Olamilekan to contest the Ogun West Senatorial District election after various court cases were launched against him sequel to his victory at the APC primaries.