Justice Emmanuel O. Akhamiogie of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City yesterday adjourned the case for the determination of membership of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu if he is a bona fide member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to June 17, 2020.
The plaintiffs in the case – Pastor Kenneth O Asekhomhe, Benjamin Oghumu, Matthew Ogbebor and Unweni Nosa in suit No. HAB/05/1/20 approached the court to determine if the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (defendants) have not breached the party’s constitution for giving Ize-Iyamu waiver to contest the forthcoming governorship elections in the state.
Though journalists were barred from covering the court proceedings, one of the counsel to the defendants, Famous Osawaru, said the judge adjourned the case to June 17, 2020. “So, what they are actually asking the court to interpret is whether he is qualified to contest the governorship election. So, they have an ex-parte injunction. They also filed interlocutory as well as the originating process by way of originating summons but after several arguments, because the counsel has already entered defence for the defendant, the court now said there is no way they can take interlocutory injunction or interim injunction restraining anybody anymore.
“The best thing the court will do is to go into the main matters; to look at the merits of the case. So for now, the matter is adjourned to June 17, 2020. At that time, we must have filed all processes,” Osawaru said.
In another development, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, yesterday tendered his resignation letter from the employ of the state government. In his resignation letter dated June 4, 2020, Ohonbamu said: “I have decided to step aside as a cabinet member and operate outside it for the general good of Edo State and pursuit of happiness for the citizens.” His resignation is coming weeks after the Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, resigned his appointment on administrative and governance grounds.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved the appointment of Mr. Stewart Efe as the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation. In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, said the appointment takes “immediate effect.” Until his appointment, Efe was the Public Relations Officer, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital (FNPH) Uselu, Benin City. He hails from Ward 9 in Egor Local Council of Edo State.
