The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted leave to the Registered Trustees of the Ekimogun Roundtable to apply for an order of Mandamus against the National Assembly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Hon. Abiola Makinde, the lawmaker representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency.
The rulling delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on March 13, 2025, followed an ex-parte motion filed on March 12, 2025, by the applicant.
The motion seeks to compel the National Assembly to disclose information regarding the plenary attendance of the lawmaker, who the group alleged has abandoned his legislative duties, leaving the constituency without adequate representation for an extended period.
Specifically, the group is requesting details of Makinde’s attendance at plenary sessions as well as records of constituency and intervention funds allocated to Ondo East/West Federal Constituency during the period under review.
According to the group, these requests are grounded in Section 68(f) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that a lawmaker who fails to attend the required number of plenary days in a legislative year may be compelled to vacate their seat.
Ekimogun Roundtable further claims to be tracking over N4bn allocated to the constituency through the National Assembly in the last four years, which they allege is unaccounted for due to misrepresentation.
The motion, supported by an affidavit deposed to by Ogah Blessing Nneku-Ojo, emphasized that the respondents had failed to respond to legitimate demands for information, thereby prompting legal action.
The applicants through their legal team led by Timilehin Albert argued that the requested disclosures were in the public interest and necessary for transparency and accountability in governance.
Justice Nyako granted the applicant leave to proceed with the order of Mandamus, directed that the respondents be put on notice, and adjourned the matter to May 19, 2025, for mention.