Two Lawmakers representing Ilaje Constituency 1 and 11 at the Ondo State House of Assembly, Messers Malachi Coker and Abayomi Coker have been reportedly summoned at the Force Headquarters, Abuja in connection with their alleged resumption as legislators without certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Sources said the duo allegedly escaped being arrested by some Police Detectives from Abuja last Wednesday at the Premises of the Ondo State Election Tribunal, Akure.
It was learnt that the lawmakers covered by immunity from arrest in the Court allegedly evaded arrest in the presence of the Speaker, Princess Jumoke Akindele who sources said had mobilized other lawmakers to intervene in the matter.
The Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ilaje Constituencies 1 and 11 ,Gbenga Edema and Leke Adegboye had earlier petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr Solomon Arase over the matter.
They pleaded to the IGP to probe the alleged impersonation and unlawful swearing-in of Akinruntan and Malachi by the Clerk of the State Assembly.
It was learnt that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State, Segun Agbaje had earlier declared elections in the two Ilaje constituencies as inconclusive due to alleged irregularities.
Consequently, INEC withdrew the certificates of return meant for the two Assembly members-elect on May 5 when it presented the same certificates to other 24 members-elect.
A petition dated June 8 and signed by Mr Charles Titiloye on behalf of the APC candidates noted that the Clerk of the House confirmed the writ of returns and roll call of all 26 members-elect on June 1 with Akinruntan and Malachi as no 6 and 20 in the attendance list respectively.
According to the petition, “We are aware that for a member-elect to be sworn-in as a lawmaker of any parliament either national, state or local government, the presentation of certificate of return should be a pre-condition in compliance with the electoral act.
“Based on this fact,we seek clarification from INEC on whether the certificates of return have been issued to the two lawmakers as at June 4 and INEC replied the second day that no certificate of return was issued in respect of the two members-elect.
“It is instructive to note that section 75 of the electoral act 2010(as amended) makes issuance of a certificate of return mandatory to any person who has won election in Nigeria before he/she could be sworn in to function in the office.
“Section 99 of the constitution(as amended) pointed out that any person who sits or votes in a house of assembly of a state knowing or having reasonable grounds for knowing that he is not entitled to do so shall be guilty of an offence and shall upon conviction be liable to a term of imprisonment”.
The petitioners therefore urged the IGP to probe into fraudulent move against Ondo state government and its citizenry by unlawfully swearing in persons who did not possess certificates of return to earn salaries and allowances due to them.
They also demanded justice from all persons who participated in such unlawful acts to facilitate the anti-corruption crusade of the present Buhari’s administration.
Speaking to one of the petitioners, Barrister Edema Tuesday morning, he confirmed that he was on his way to Abuja on invitation by the Police at the Force Headquarters in connection with the petition.
It was learnt that the Clerk of the Ondo State House of Assembly may also be quizzed by the Police on the same matter.
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