31st March, 2012
The Truth Commission in Ogun State has warned that it would not allow unnecessary technicalities and other delay tactics being employed by some counsel appearing before it to slow down its operations and elongate its time frame for sittings.
Giving this warning on Thursday during the commission’s proceeding, the Chairman of the Commission, Hon Justice Pius Aderemi (retd.), also added that request for adjournment by the counsel which it considered frivolous, will not be granted.
Justice Aderemi was reacting to a motion by Mr. Ibukun Ajomo, counsel to the wife of the former Governor of the State, Yeye Olufunke Daniel, seeking for a stay of the commission’s proceedings based on pending cases before the Federal High Court, Abeokuta and the Court of Appeal, Ibadan division which is challenging the competence of the commission.
Earlier in a petition submitted by Mr. Rasheed Odunaya, the Personal Assistant to foremer Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, he had alleged that Mrs. Daniel had led others to brutalise him during an invasion of his boss’ residence at Ijebu-Itele.
In their respective submissions, counsel to the petitioner and the commision, Messers A. A. Ogunba and Bunmi Koleowo had described the application as inimical and a ploy to slow down the commission, saying Mrs. Daniel was not a party in the pending cases at both the Federal High Court, Abeokuta and Court of Appeal, Ibadan division.
In his ruling, the Commission Chairman, Hon Justice Aderemi dismissed the application, describing it as unmeritorious and contrary to the procedures of the commission.
He then ordered that full hearing of the petition commenced immediately.
In a related development, a petition submitted by Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, former Chairman of Ijebu-East local government area of Ogun State against the former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel also came up for hearing.
While seeking relief of the commission, the former council boss asked for public apology from the Daniels and not financial relief as being speculated from some quarters.
Both Oladunjoye and Odunaya’s cases were adjourned till Monday, 16 April, 2012 for adoption of written addresses by their counsel.
At the sitting on Thursday, a total of 16 petitions were listed for hearing, out of which seven involving a former Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Bukola Olopade and a former Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government, Mr. Akeem Odejimi Ologbonwon were adjourned till Wednesday and Thursday, 18 and 19 April, 2012 for petitioners to effect services on the respondents.
The commission has gone on recess and is expected to resume sitting on Monday, 16 April 2012.
By Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta