Jimoh Ibrahim’s lawyer withdraws over ‘lack of payment’

Alex Izinyon, counsel representing Jimoh Ibrahim, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state, has withdrawn from his case at the appeal court.

This development is coming a day after the three-man panel of judges led by Jummai Sankey withdrew from the case following a petition by Biyi Poroye, factional chairman of the PDP in Ondo.

Poroye had alleged that Sankey had not only taken bribe from Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo governor of the state, but was prone to corruption because she had expended a lot of money on an “illness that made her broke”.

In a letter addressed to Ibrahim, Izinyon said he had not been paid for four appearances.

“You will recall my earlier letter to you on 27/10/2016 stating the status of the various cases we handled at the federal high court and currently at the court of appeal. For ease of reference a copy is enclosed here with,” he wrote.

“On the federal high court group of cases, it was really only one that I was briefed on enforcement which is No.2 on the list which we did and the N15 million was paid for that.

“For the remaining 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the list, we did not receive fees and I recall informing you on this and you said you were not inclined to pay anything but only secretarial bill of N5 million.

“As for the one which brought me to the court of appeal – CA/A/551/M/2016, Ahmed Makarfi and Ben Obi VS PDP, we filed our counter-affidavit and the motion was heard on 28/10/2016 and ruling was reserved.”

Izinyon expressed dismay that Sankey had said that he knew about the petition by Poroye despite his protest.

“But with the development of 1/11/2016, it abates and will start with a new panel. With what happened yesterday (Tuesday) in court, in the matter associated with CA/A551C/M/2016 in Mr. Taut Jegede’s motion you will recall that my person was indicted by the presiding justice as having a fore knowledge of the petition written by the 1st respondent (Poroye) despite my protest and innocence,” he said.

“It is in this regard that I hereby withdraw from further appearance. This is to enable you brief another lawyer who shall take over the file. We will forward the file and the processes to your personal assistant forthwith.

“For professional ethics and my integrity I cannot continue on this as I was not told or given a copy of the said petition.

“Meanwhile, I have done the motion for joinder for you which is 50-50 chances as I discussed with you before. Your senator friend was to assist in this respect as he promised to pay me N10 million.

“Also, I have done Nos 2, 3 and 4 in the list sent on 27/10/2016 without any payment. In this connection, kindly take out N5 million from the N10 million given as we have done half with N5 million you had promised to give for secretarial service of all other cases as listed as set off in the circumstances for the balance.

“The joinder application we filed was on the instruction of your senator friend as stated above as at the cost he promised but nothing so far. Kindly bear with me the circumstances I find myself and thank you for the confidence repose in me in conducting the matter so far.”