….Akure-based Lawyer, Femi Emodamori, had written Governor Aiyedatiwa to comply with verdict.
The Ondo State Chief Judge, Justice A.O. Odusola has dissociated self and the judiciary from the State Government’ appeal filed against the judgment that granted financial autonomy to the judiciary.
It would be recalled that an Akure-based Legal Practitioner, Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, on the 16th of October 2024, wrote the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on the need to comply with the Court’s judgment on financial autonomy for Ondo State Judiciary and House of Assembly.
Emodamori had earlier filed the suit at the court to ensure that financial autonomy for Ondo State Judiciary and House of Assembly is implemented by the State Government.
In a latest twist of event, instead of complying with the Court’s order, the Ondo State Government has proceeded to appeal the judgment, listing the Chief Judge of Ondo State and the Chief Registrar of the State High Court as the 4th of 5th Appelant.
Upon getting the notice of appeal, Mr. Emodamori wrote the Ondo State Chief Judge to confirm if he authorized and/or instructed the office of the Attorney-General to appeal the judgment on his behalf.
After receiving Mr. Emodamori’s letter, the Ondo State Chief Judge wrote a letter to the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, dissociating himself from the Appeal.
In his reply to Mr. Emodamori through the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, the Honourable Chief Judge insisted that he never authorized the office of the Attorney General to file any appeal in his name and that of the Registrar against the judgment which the State Judiciary is a beneficiary.
However the judiciary in the letter, the Chief Judge said “your letter dated 25th November, 2024 regarding the appeal in respect of the above mentioned case refers, please.
“I have the directive of the Honourable Chief Judge of Ondo State. Hon. Justice A. O. Odusola to inform you that neither the Chief Judge nor the Chief Registrar is in support of the referred appeal.
“Please, find attached, a copy of our letter, dated 27th November, 2024 written to the Hon. Attorney General, confirming our satisfaction with the judgment and our unwillingness to appeal and challenge the same on appeal.”
