A former judge of the Osun State High Court, who was recently retired by
the National Judicial Council, Justice Olamide Oloyede, has said she
has no regret writing the petition against Governor Rauf Aregbesola and
his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori.
The retired judge said this while featuring on a radio programme, Frank Talk aired by Rave FM and monitored by our correspondent in Osogbo on Monday.
Oloyede, however, apologised to the
governor and the deputy for using certain words which she said she ought
not to have used in the petition but stressed that she was convinced
beyond doubt that she did no wrong by writing the petition where she
asked the members of the House of Assembly to impeach Aregbesola and
Laoye-Tomori.
She explained that she had no animosity
against the governor, adding that she did not violate any section of the
constitution for barring her mind on the issues affecting the people of
the state.
Oloyede said, “I have no regrets writing
that petition, but I think in retrospect I have come to realise that
perhaps, I did employ some words or language in respect of Mr.
Governor and his deputy, which I ought not to have used and so, today I
am tendering an unreserved apology, public apology for the choice of
certain words which I would not repeat.
“However, as far as the substance of
that petition is concerned, I remain resolute and I am convinced that my
actions were done in fidelity to my office and to the constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which I sworn to uphold and out of love
for my country.
“As we say in law, the fact speaks for
itself and as I said earlier, the petition speaks for itself. I would
rather not go over the content of the petition, which I believe is in
public’s possession. My reason for writing is clearly stated there. I am
a person known for my own conviction and the only regret I have, I have
said it, every other thing I said I meant it word for word.”
Oloyede stated that some believed that
the judiciary should only be seen and not heard even if the country was
collapsing but the sanctioned judge said she did not belong to this
class of people.
Oloyode, who now lectures at the Lead
City University, Ibadan, lamented that judicial officers were not
equipped with the tools to discharge their duties, yet nobody or
organisation was fighting for their welfare.
Speaking on immunity clause, she said
there was no way the war against corruption would be won if the
executive arm of government was the only one that enjoyed immunity.
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