OSSIEC CHAIRMANSHIP: Federal High Court, Osogbo Dismisses APC's suit against Hassim Abioye.

OSSIEC CHAIRMANSHIP: Federal High Court, Osogbo  Dismisses APC's suit against Hassim Abioye.

Justice Nathaniel Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has dismissed a suit filed by the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC challenging the appointment of Barrister Hashim Abioye as chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC.

It was gathered that the Osun APC had filed a suit, number FHC/OS/CS/02/2024 challenging Abioye's appointment as chairman of the commission, alleging that he is a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The Osun APC had joined the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, OSSIEC and Barr. Abioye as defendants.

The Osun APC also sought an injunction against the defendants from appointing or confirming the appointment of Abioye as the Chairman of OSSIEC, while also seeking relief against Abioye from continuing to act or function as the Chairman of OSSIEC. 

In a contested application filed by the APC led by her lawyers, Ayodele Kusamotu and I.O. Oloyede, the legal team of the OSSIEC Chairman comprising Maruf Adediran Esq, O.U. Yusuf Esq., and Adeyemi Opeyemi Esq., opposed the application on grounds of incompetence.

While delivering a ruling in the suit, the court presided over by Justice Ayo Emmanuel dismissed the APC's application for reason of incompetence.

Reacting to the development, Abioye expressed confidence and described the suit as a personal vendetta by the APC against him.

"Like I said when the suit was initiated by the APC, it is a frivolous and a non-starter, a brought-in-dead suit, which was aimed at discrediting my competence and qualification to lead OSSIEC."

Abioye appreciated his legal team as well as the legal team representing the state in the matter.

He affirmed that he has never been distracted and would not be distracted by any baseless claim from any politician especially the APC who has been attacking him.

He stated that he would not falter on the side of due process and the rule of law in the discharge of his responsibilities.