The Federal High Court in Lagos State yesterday adjourned till July 13 a suit seeking to stop Senator Adeola Solomon, popularly called Yayi, from representing Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State in 2023.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa fixed the date, following an application by some constituents of Lagos West, seeking to be joined as defendants in the suit filed by some All Progressives Congress (APC) members.
The plaintiffs are Sanni Said, Giwa Tijani Sheu, Adesoji Adepoju Martins, Mike Okefuna, Olatunbosun Komolafe, Mrs. Sanni Oluwatoyin, Ibrahim Fatai, Bolaji Durojaiye and AbdulKareem Idowu.
Those listed as respondents alongside Yayi are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); All Progressive Congress (APC) and National Assembly.
Solomon, on May 28, defeated incumbent Senator Tolu Odebiyi to pick the APC senatorial ticket for Ogun West Senatorial.
The plaintiffs have filed an ex parte application seeking, among others, an order of interim injunction restraining the APC from submitting his name to INEC as its flagbearer in the 2023 general election while he is still a Senator representing their Senatorial District pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.
They claimed the Senator’s action breaches Sections 6(6)c, 65 of the Constitution, Article 2, 9 and 20 of the APC Constitution, Section 14(3) of the Federal Character Commission Act and Section 30 of the Electoral Act 2022.
At the last hearing of the matter, Justice Lewis-Allagoa directed Yayi and other defendants to show cause why he should not be restrained from contesting for the seat of Ogun West in 2023.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa made the order after listening to the plaintiffs’ counsel, Seni Adio (SAN) and Yakubu Eleto.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) and Adio led Yakubu Eleto; Tokunbo Davis and others for the plaintiffs.
Chief Wole Olanipekun, Babatunde Ogala, and Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, all SANs, represented Yayi, APC and the National Assembly respectively.
Olayinka Kujembola represented 21 members of the Lagos West Senatorial District as persons seeking to be joined in the suit as Senator Adeola’s co-defendants.
By the agreement of all parties that the application of persons seeking to be joined as Senator Solomon’s co-defendants be first heard before any other applications can be entertained, Justice Lewis-Allagoa, adjourned till July 13.