Justice B.F.M. Nyako delivered the ruling on March 13, 2025, following an ex parte motion filed a day earlier. The application seeks a judicial review in the form of an order of Mandamus, aiming to compel the National Assembly to provide specific information about Hon. Makinde’s attendance at plenary sessions, and details of constituency and intervention funds allocated to the Ondo East/West Federal Constituency.
According to the Ekimogun Roundtable, Hon. Makinde has allegedly failed to fulfil his legislative duties, leaving constituents without adequate representation. The group’s request is anchored on Section 68(f) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which allows a legislator’s seat to be declared vacant if they fail to attend the required number of plenary sessions in a legislative year.
The group also claims it is monitoring over N4 billion reportedly allocated to the constituency over the past four years—funds it alleges are largely unaccounted for due to poor representation and lack of transparency.
In an affidavit deposed to by legal practitioner Ogah Blessing Nneku-Ojo, the applicant emphasised that several formal requests for information had gone unanswered, prompting the court action. Lead counsel Timilehin Albert, Esq., representing the applicant alongside a team of over twenty lawyers, argued that the matter concerns public interest, transparency, and accountability in governance.
The court has granted leave to proceed and ordered that the respondents be formally notified. The case was adjourned to May 19, 2025, for mention.
The National Assembly and Hon. Abiola Makinde have now been served with the court documents.
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