The Supreme Court has ordered the Ekiti State government to pay all the
entitlements, allowances and emoluments of the council officials illegally removed in 2010.

Spokesman for the former council chairmen, Mr Olasunkanmi
Ogunbiyi, in a chat with Channels Television’s correspondent shortly after the verdict was delivered expressed joy that justice had been served at last.

Ogunbiyi, who served as chairman of Ikere Local Government Area at that time, said the Judiciary had once again risen in defence of the oppressed by giving them justice six years after they were removed from office on October 29, 2010,
barely two years into their tenure.

The former council bosses were elected at the December 20, 2008 local
government election during the administration of former Governor Segun Oni
but were removed by his successor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on grounds that the
State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), which conducted the poll, was
not properly constituted.

But Ogunbiyi urged incumbent Governor Fayose to pay them their outstanding
salaries and allowances in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court,
which is the highest court in the land.

Ogunbiyi said: “We are happy that at last, justice has been done and we are
all savouring it together. We still had 15 months to complete our tenure
before our councils were dissolved and as law abiding citizens, we headed
for the courts.

“Although it took us six years before we got justice, we thank God that the
Supreme Court has ruled in our favour. This is victory for democracy, it is
also victory for the rule of law.

“The judiciary has been the stabiliser of our democracy and it has
consistently proved to be the last hope of the common man. We are grateful to
the Supreme Court judges for their industry and erudition in arriving at
today’s verdict.

“We want to appeal to Governor Ayodele Fayose to obey the judgment without any delay. The judgment is clear and it is to the effect that we should be paid
what is due to us for the remaining 15 months in our tenure”.