“Be You Ever So High, The Law Is Above You” – Ex-Oyo ALGON Chair, Aleshinloye Hits Makinde

“Be You Ever So High, The Law Is Above You” Ex-Oyo ALGON Chair, Aleshinloye Hits Makinde | Government, Why Running Helter Sketer in Another Lawless Antic?

In a daring press release, Forum 68, the immediate past officials of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), in Oyo State, has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of attempting to circumvent a Supreme Court judgement to pay elected Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councillors who were removed from office.

In a press release titled “GOV. SEYI MAKINDE, ‘BE YOU EVER SO HIGH, THE LAW IS ABOVE YOU,'” The chairman of Forum 68, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, highlighted what the group perceived as a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.

The Supreme Court had previously ordered Governor Makinde to compensate the sacked council officials, emphasising the illegality of their removal. Despite a partial payment of N1.5 billion, the state government failed to fulfil the remaining N3.4 billion of the judgement debt within the stipulated six-month period. Instead, the governor resorted to legal manoeuvres, filing an appeal against the Supreme Court’s decision, sparking accusations of a costly legal charade aimed at delaying or denying rightful payments.

In the press release, Aleshinloye contended that Governor Makinde’s actions amount to a blatant violation of the nation’s constitution and quoted the aphorism “Be you ever so high, the law is above you” as a reminder of the governor’s legal obligations.

The group further criticised the governor for purportedly attempting to gather information already in the possession of the state government, dismissing the need for individual consultations with members of the ex-ALGON.

In the release, Aleshinloye suggested that the governor’s actions might be an unnecessary and theatrical pursuit for information that is readily available.

Forum 68 alleged that Governor Makinde has resorted to threats against the group for pursuing legal avenues to seek justice. Despite these challenges, Forum 68 asserted the group’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and called on the governor to fulfil his obligation.

Aleshinloye concluded by emphasising that any payments owed should be channelled through the group’s solicitors, citing the precedent of a previous N1.5 billion payment through the client account of Adeniyi Akintola SAN&Co., their former legal representatives.

While concluding, Prince Abass-Aleshinloye expressed the group’s unwavering determination in the pursuit of justice.