"THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER"
Feb 14th was all about Gifts, Love, Affection and the Suspension of Comr. Alimson...
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On Friday 14th February 2025, the 35th LASUSU Students' Parliamentary Council announced the immediate and indefinite Suspension of the 35th LASUSU Legal Director, Comr. Alimi Toheeb (SAL).
According to the official press release from the SPC, the legal director was suspended for 'acting ultra vires and overstepping his authority by submitting a court ruling to the SPC on his official letterhead, instructing the General Secretary to do the same, and unauthorizedly seeking information about the SPC after issuing a threat'.
What Went Down
On Thursday, 13th February 2025, the SPC announced an emergency sitting for the following day. On the day of the sitting, the General Secretary was summoned for submitting a court ruling on the orders of the legal director as stated in the official press release.
After defending his case before the house, the General Secretary was let off the hook with a warning. Afterwards, the legal director stood before the house where he was asked to read out his duties as stated by the LASUSU Constitution before the allegations were brought against him.
Furthermore, it was mentioned that the legal director had requested the names of all 120 Honorable members of the house saying he would sue and unseat all members of the SPC, if he was not provided with the requested details.
After several back and forth, in which honourable members questioned Comr. Alimi (SAL) on his alleged misconducts, including representing, Suspended Vice President, Comr. Rihanat Ramon in a letter to our media outlet, LASU Life, and also going further to defend her in court seeking an injuction on her behalf, while her suspension was still active, going against the provision of the constitution in which he was supposed to represent only active members of the union.
In his defense, Comr. Alimi (SAL), claimed to have filed the lawsuits in anticipation of the Vice-president’s suspension, throwing the house in commotion. His defense proved incomprehensible and unjustifiable to the members of house, leading a motion to be raised and supported for his indefinite suspension.
The Other Side
However, on the side of the legal director, Comr. Alimi (SAL) claims that he only received a letter of summon to give clarification on some union matters without any notice of allegations and as a result, he was not afforded any chance to prepare for a defence, in light of the allegations.
"Upon getting there, a series of issues and allegations were brought against me. I was not given the space and time to adequately respond to the questions posed. They assume contradiction in many of the things I said without giving me the opportunity to clarify same. They even took it upon themselves to interprete the law, which is the established duty of the SJC. They began interpreting several legal principles that are even alien to myself, I must confess," Comr. Alimi noted to this reporter.
He further adds that there were some allegations against him which he was not given the opportunity to respond to, constituting a breach of fair hearing.
"I believe the so called honourable members may be receiving legal training, probably at 600 level or in master’s programmes; or probably that they have all attended law school, so as to demonstrate expertise in legal interpretation.
"There are honourable members from the house with legal expertise who could be consulted to clarify legal positions. However, it is individuals without legal knowledge who are now taking on the roles of judges and lawyers. The SPC could have consulted an external expert to provide guidance on legal matters. However, I suspect the honourable members in the house are unwilling and unable to do so," Comr. Alimi further adds.
The legal director told this editor, that the actions of the SPC is “a clear abuse of power, and demonstration of lack of understanding of parliamentary proceedings. I acknowledge that the Parliament is the body responsible for making laws for the Union, as a primary duty. But, it appears that the SPC are compromising their credibility and by essence prioritizing the 'frustration of the executives'. One can only wonder when a bill will be passed in the house, by the so called honourable members claiming to be sagacious in the quark parliamentary systems."
According to Comr. Alimi (SAL), he believes the SPC is just afraid of someone who can truly challenge them and "fight the norm of 'Gbogbo Agbara Syndrome' that has decayed the system". (sic)
He further called for all LASUITES to be calm, claiming that “the fight is not over”.
📝: Ayo Oladiran, Deputy Editor, LASULife
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