By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Sunday Akano
LAGOS—A Lagos High Court in Ikeja, yesterday, fixed September 28, for hearing of the suit praying to stop the Lagos State House of Assembly from continuing its probe of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN.

This was sequel to the response from counsel representing the Lagos State House of Assembly, who informed the court that there was no development as to the move to reconcile the parties in the matter.

It would be recalled that both parties at the last hearing date pledged to settle the matter out of court.

However, when the matter resumed yesterday, counsel to the lawmakers, Mr. Sola Ogundipe said: “We don’t have any indication of the resolve of the parties to close rank in this matter. Reconciliation is not something we can force through their throat. Unfortunately, we don’t have anything to report.”

A veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola, is before the court praying it to stop Fashola’s probe. He said, among others, that the House’s action was unlawful and constitutes an affront on rule of law and administration of justice, especially his pending appeal on a judgment of a Lagos High Court.

He prayed  the court to determine whether the House was right to set up an ad hoc committee to probe Fashola despite a pending litigation seeking to stop.

Justice Opeyemi Oke said her order barring the House from probing allegations of financial misconduct against the governor by a group, True Face of Lagos, would remain in force till September 28.

Meanwhile, Ogundipe informed the court that they had filed their defence to the originating summons, as well as a written address.

Akinola’s lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, acknowledged the receipt of the respondents’ processes.

Aturu said “We were served with three processes yesterday (Tuesday): a counter affidavit to the originating summons, a counter affidavit to the motion on notice, and a written address opposing the motion on notice.

“We’ll be applying for a date for hearing of the originating summons itself instead of taking the interlocutory application,” Aturu added.

Ogundipe said: “I will not be opposing the order that the status quo be maintained until the originating summons is determined. I hope this matter can be settled so that Lagosians can sleep with their eyes closed.”

Adjourning the matter, Justice Oke said: “I’ll continue to pray for you.”