The Court of Appeal, Ibadan, yesterday declined calls by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala to suspend the suit filed by Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi and 36 others against Alao-Akala in the governorship election.
Counsel to the party and Alao-Akala Chief Richard AKinjide (SAN) and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) urged the three-man panel to suspend hearing pending the outcome of investigations of bribery allegations levelled against Justice Jonathan Shakarho of the Federal High Court, Ibadan.
They argued that the Appellate Court ought to follow the example of the lower court by adjourning the suit, sine dine, to allow the National Judicial Council (NJC) come up with a report of its investigation into the allegation of N50 million bribery levelled against Shakarho by one of the appellants.
The panel, led by Justice Sidi Bage, faulted the argument, saying the court would be failing in its duties, if it refused to allow counsel to the appellants, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), move the motion on the application he had already filed and to which respondents have responded.
Bage said: “We will fail in our duties if we do not let them move their motion. As far as the court is concerned, the application can be moved for now, so we don’t go into a bigger issue of fair hearing.
“The application has been filed and it is necessary it is heard. We must hear him and take the counter affidavit.”
The court adjourned till Monday.
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Bribery allegation petition fails to stall suit against Alao-Akala