By our correspondent
The Ekiti State Government has bowed to the ruling of the Supreme Court’s judgement, by relocating the headquarters of Ilejemeje local government from Iye Ekiti to Eda Oniyo.
The government said it has to abide with the Apex Court’s decision, which branded the recognition of Iye Ekiti as the headquarters of the council since 1996 null and void.
Addressing a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi, said the state abided by the ruling following the advice of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda and the report of a fact finding committee, which advised that by virtue of the supreme Court’s pronouncement, that it will be “illegal, irregular, unconstitutional, null and void”, to recognise Iye Ekiti, as the headquarters of the council.
Egbeyemi said sequel to the judicial decision, the government proclaimed that ” the decision of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land is sancrosanct and inviolable and is binding on the government.
“That by virtue of the judgement, Eda Oniyo is the only legally recognised headquarters of Ilejemeje local government. That the headquarters of Ilejemeje local government and its machinery are hereby relocated by Ekiti State Government from Iye Ekiti to Eda Oniyo Ekiti,” he added.
The Deputy Governor directed the Chairman of the council, Hon Sunday Awolola and the Commissioner for Local Government, Prof Adio Folayan, to prepare a schedule for the relocation of the council to the new town.
The Eleda of Eda Oniyo Ekiti, Oba Julius Awolola, applauded the government for relocating the council to his domain and for obeying the judgement of the court.
Awolola appealled to his subjects not to be over joyous but should maintain peace adding that: We have have fought for 23 years. The day they even took it forcefully, we did not fight. We appreciate the government for this gesture”
The Chairman of the Council, Hon. Sunday Awolola, appealed to people of the two towns to be peaceful and be law abiding, explaining that adequate security will be provided by the government to safeguard the lives of the populace.
The Supreme Court in its judgement last December recognised Eda Oniyo as the headquarters and ordered Governor Kayode Fayemi to effect the relocation with immediate effect.
