The Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, has thrown his weight behind the decision of the state Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, on the inauguration of two election petition tribunals to address grievances that may arise from today’s local government elections.
The members of the tribunals as inaugurated by the CJ include, Dr Dickson Omotuyole Oguntuyi, Mrs Ruth Olumilua Adebodun, Mr Kehinde Aladedutire, Mrs Aduroja Folasade Atinuke, Mr Lebi Taiwo Olalekan, and Mr Victor Adetiloye Ajayi.
Inaugurating the tribunal members at the conference hall of the Ondo State High Court, Justice Odutola emphasised the judiciary’s pivotal role in upholding democracy and ensuring that justice is served without fear or favour.
But a legal professional, Adebayo Solagbade questioned the legality of the Election Petition Tribunal as constituted by the Chief Judge, alleging that the composition of the tribunal was illegal “having been constituted in a manner fundamentally different from the mandatory prescriptions of the Law.”
Reacting, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, said “The essence of true advocacy lies in the diligent research and continuous self-improvement of a dedicated lawyer. “Rushing into rooftop advocacy without this vital foundation risks the perilous trap of citing obsolete laws – a mistake that can haunt even the most passionate legal practitioners.
“Upon my appointment as Attorney General by His Excellency, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, we recognised the urgent need to confront the myriads of outdated statutes plaguing Ondo State. Among these was the Local Government System, Establishment and Administration of Local Government Councils of Ondo State, Cap 87, Volume 2, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.”
