• Security operatives order journalists out of courtroom
• Coalition faults removal of Oluomo, urges restraint
The impeached Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, was yesterday, arraigned in a Federal High Court sitting in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Others arraigned alongside the Speaker were the Clerk of the House, AdeyemoAdedeji and the Director of Finance, Oladayo Samuel.
Oluomo and the duo were taken to court over the alleged misappropriation of N2.5 billion.
The presiding judge, O.O. Okeke, however, adjourned the case to February 29 and March 1, 2024.
However, drama ensued at about 10:04 a.m. when Justice Okeke stepped out of her chamber and the Speaker’s case was mentioned.
Two officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) approached some journalists and asked them to leave the courtroom on the orders of the court’s Registrar.
But when asked by the Acting Court Registrar why journalists were being prevented from reporting the proceedings, he denied giving such orders.
The registrar then summoned one of the NSCDC officers to his office for questioning.
But the officer, who had already removed his name tag, denied ordering journalists out of the courtroom.
Meanwhile, a group, Coalition of Civil Society Against Impunity, has condemned the removal of Oluomo as Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, saying the action raises serious questions about adherence to due process and legal procedures.
Convener of the coalition, Shina Loremikan, during a media briefing, yesterday, noted that elected representatives must uphold the rule of law, and any deviation from this fundamental principle has eroded the trust of the public in the democratic process.
The coalition, which demanded an immediate reversal of the decision to remove Oluomo from the position of Speaker until the dispute is resolved through proper legal channels, maintained that such impulsive actions without proper legal basis would set a dangerous precedent and contribute to the erosion of democratic values.
Loremikan said that it is crucial for all parties involved to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue cum possible court processes to find an amicable resolution to the current crisis.
