by Rachel Ogbu

Supporters of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola have condemned the suit challenging his state of mental health calling it a ploy to embarrass the governor and the people of the state.

His counsel, Victoria Awomolo, told to reporters on Thursday February 7 that the case was frivolous.

“It is a frivolous and scandalous case, aimed at embarrassing the governor and the people of the state. The case is based on Section 189 of the constitution, and there are procedures to apply even if the executive council of the state House of Assembly perceives that there is anything wrong with the governor.

“The suit is politically motivated and we are ready to deal with it legally; if anyone someone has anything against the governor, they should come in the open and say it.

“However, we would not allow the integrity of the governor to be rubbished. We will defend his integrity to the letter,” she said.

The case was adjournment to March 7 by an Abuja Federal High Court.

The Punch reports:

A group, the Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa, had dragged Aregbesola’s personal physician; Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly; Attorney-General of Federation and Minister of Justice; Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of State Security Services to the court over the mental condition of the governor.

Before adjourning the case, the presiding judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, had frowned on the failure of the bailiff, one Mr. Peter, to effect service of the written address filed by the plaintiffs on the defendants.

In the address filed on February 1, 2013, the plaintiffs had argued that the suit be heard and determined in Abuja, instead of Osogbo, Osun State, where the cause of action was said to have originated from.

When the case came up for hearing of the written address filed by counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, informed the court that the bailiff failed to effect service on the defendants, even after he was mobilised to carry out the assignment.

The judge condemned the development, saying, “If you do that again, you will leave this court. Some of the lawyers came from Osogbo and they will be going back with just adjournment date; that is not good enough.”

When summoned, the bailiff, who admitted that he was unable to serve the defendants with the written address, apologised for the development.

However, Awomolo, and the counsel for the AGF, Isaac Irome, said the failure of the bailiff to effect service made it impossible for them to reply to the plaintiffs’ written address.

They, therefore, prayed for time to file the reply.

The plaintiffs are praying the court to make a declaration that they are entitled to request and gain information for determining the mental health condition of the governor.

They are also seeking an order that a medical panel be set up to subject the governor to a medical test of mental nature.