In 2006, Barrister Bamidele Omotosho chaired the controversial seven-man Judicial Panel set up by Justice Jide Aladejana, illegally appointed by the State House of Assembly as Acting Chief Judge against the advice of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore. The panel found Governor Ayodele Fayose “guilty”.
That was after the panel set up by the State Chief Judge then, Justice Kayode Bamisile, had exonerated Fayose.
Ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi was among those who got Barrister Omotosho to chair the panel then.
If Barrister Omotosho had not chaired the panel, the political quagmire that happened in Ekiti State in 2006 would not have happened and Fayose would have been re-elected in 2007.
The implication of this is that Fayemi would not have been governor!
#How Fayemi paid Omotosho back#
In March 2012, the National Judicial Council recommended the appointment of Emmanuel Adesodun, Bamidele Omotoso, and Kayode Ogundana as High Court Judges.
However, Fayemi refused to honour the NJC recommendations as he refused to swear in Omotosho and Ogundana.
According to Fayemi, the alleged offence of Omotosho and Ogundana was that they discharged their lawful professional duties by appearing before the Election Petitions Tribunals as counsel for opposing political parties against his (Fayemi) political party, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria.
Because Omotosho appeared for the Peoples Democratic Party in an election petition, Fayemi flagrantly disobeyed the NJC!
Fayemi also claimed that since Barrister Omotosho was a private legal practitioner, he ought not to have been considered for appointment as a judge – as if he knew better than the NJC, the body saddled with the appointment of judges in Nigeria.
Because of Fayemi’s vindictive action, Barrister Omotosho could not practice as a lawyer since 2012 because he had already been recommended for High Court judge position by the NJC.
#How Fayose Is Paying Omotosho Back#
Tomorrow, Barrister Bamidele Omotosho will assume office as a High Court Judge in the Ekiti State Judiciary. He will be sworn in on Friday by Governor Fayose. That is TWO YEARS and EIGHT MONTHS after the NJC recommended his appointment!
Barrister Bamidele Emmanuel Omotosho’s action in 2006 hurt Fayose and favoured Fayemi. Yet, Fayemi denied Omotosho the opportunity of becoming a judge, while Fayose is restoring that opportunity tomorrow.
#Lessons#
Not all those you are helping with your actions will be there for you when they are needed and not all those you are hurting with your actions will pay you back with evil.
Lere Olayinka is the Special Adviser on Information and Social Media to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.