Counsel representing Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in the eligibility case pending before the Supreme Court, Chief Rafiu Balogun, has debunked allegations by Chief Adeniyi, Counsel to Chief Segun Oni, that the sitting governor was responsible for social media comments on the case.
Oni’s counsel had in an earlier letter alleged that some individuals who were close to the Governor had posted some comments which suggested that they had a pre-knowledge of the judgment of the court.
Balogun in a letter dated April 8, described Adeniyi’s allegations as spurious, adding that it was borne out of mischief as Adeniyi could neither substantiate the claims nor provide verifiable proofs.
Fayemi’s counsel said he expected Adeniyi to show some decorum in his language, especially as his allegations were directed at the judiciary as an institution and the personality of Fayemi, who is a respected citizen of the country.
Balogun wrote: “The attention of our client has been drawn to your letter dated 5th April, 2019 on the above captioned appeals before the Supreme Court, which had been fixed for Judgment. Our client was shocked to the marrow by the content of your letter and we have his instruction to respond as follows:
“That our client being a responsible citizen who has due regard for the Institution of the Judiciary and as an advocate of the observance of the Rule of law will never either directly or through anybody interfere directly or indirectly with the judicial process or pre-empting the judgment of Courts or do anything that is capable of subjecting the Apex Court or any Court into opprobrium and disrepute.
“Our client is not aware of the posts you referred to in your letter and his attention was never drawn to them until now through your letter.
“Your client’s pontification and unfounded assertion that various social media platforms known to be sponsored and promoted by supporters of our client “Once again started floating and peddling information to the effect that Supreme court dismissed Engr. Segun Oni’s case and affirmed the Court of Appeal Judgment in favour of Dr. Fayemi” is quite unfortunate.
“Our client is deeply worried and perturbed by your bare assertion that excerpts of the Judgment of the Court of Appeal in CA/EK/94/2018 yet to be delivered were posted on social media and you claimed “was taken down” shortly before your client could capture and print the excerpts.
“Our client as a responsible citizen of this country is worried because your client is casting aspersions on the revered Institution of the Judiciary, your client from the tone of your letter insinuated that the Court of Appeal has made the Judgment of the Court available to our client and his so called supporters before the Judgment was delivered.
“This is a serious imputation on the character of the Justices of Court of Appeal that heard the appeals before the Court of Appeal.
“It is to be noted that Dr. John Kayode Fayemi also appealed against the decisions of the Federal High Court on jurisdiction of the trial court to entertain the case and failure of the trial Court to pronounce on the effect of the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution which forbids declaring any person as the winner of an election without participation in all the stages of the election.
“Your client ought to be informed that Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s appeal was also dismissed like the appeal of your client in the court of Appeal. The insinuation of leaked Judgment with respect is unfounded.
“Our client is concerned that such serious and weighty allegations against the sacred Institution of the Judiciary could not be supported by concrete and verifiable evidence. From your own showing, the purported excerpts were “brought down” before your client could capture and print.
“Your client’s claim is suspect, having regards to the technology which makes it possible to screenshot with quick dispatch.”