Sina Akinwunmi

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the removal of Mr. Sina Akinwumi, the member representing Okitipupa Constituency 11 in the Ondo State House of Assembly.

In its ruling, the apex court presided over by Justice Mary Peter-Odili upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure which had set aside the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker.

The Supreme Court panel unanimously validated the issuance of Certificate of Return to James Ololade-Gbegudu by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the authentic lawmaker representing the constituency having won the APC primary.

The apex court also ordered the Speaker and Clerk of the Osun State House of Assembly to immediately swear-in Ololade-Gbegudu as the new lawmaker representing the constituency.

Ololade-Gbegudu had approached the court through his counsel, Mr. Femi Emodamori seeking an order to compel the party and INEC to recognize him as the authentic APC candidate for the constituency and not Akinwunmi, after winning the party’s primary.

The Ondo State High Court had on May 15, this year declared Ololade-Gbegudu as the winner of the party’s primary conducted on October 5, 2018.