Lagos Assembly describes Ambode’s suit as incompetent

Lagos state house of Assembly has described the suit filed against it by the former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode over the purchase of 820 buses as incompetent.

It would be recalled that Ambode had instituted the civil suit against the state House of Assembly, its Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, and the House Clerk, Mr A.A. Sanni.

Other respondents to the suit are Mr Fatai Mojeed, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee set up by the House to probe the procurement of the buses and eight members of the committee.

The members of the Ad-hoc committee are Mr Gbolahan Yishawu, Mr A.A. Yusuf, Mr Yinka Ogundimu, Mrs Mojisola Meranda, Mr M.L. Makinde, Mr Kehinde Joseph, Mr Temitope Adewale and Mr Olanrewaju Afinni.

The former Lagos governor sought an injunction restraining the lawmakers from compelling him to appear before them pursuant to a resolution passed by House of Assembly on August 27 as well as any other resolution passed in respect of the probe.

The Assembly’s Lawyer, Mr Pedro Lawal SAN added that Ikeja High Court did not have the jurisdiction to attend to the case.

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They are also opposing the injunction Ambode seeks to restrain them from probing him.

“We have filed a notice of preliminary objection, highlighting the incompetence of this suit.

“We are as well challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

“We also filed a counter-affidavit and a written address for the claimant’s motion for an interlocutory injunction,’’ Pedro said.

Lawal noted that counsel to Ambode, Mr Tayo Oyetibo filed a written reply on points of law to the lawmakers’ motion, challenging the injunction, as well as a written address in opposition to the preliminary objection.

Meanwhile, Oyetibo affirmed receiving all the processes served on the claimant by the respondents.

Tayo said that Ambode had also responded to the processes.

“We have, however, not been served with any defence my lord, as there is nothing to defend,’’ Oyetibo said.

In his ruling, Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the suit for hearing.