DR Alex Izinyon (SAN), counsel to Jimoh Ibrahim and the selfacclaimed chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Biyi Poroye, in the on-going appeal case over the governorship candidature of the PDP in the state, on Wednesday withdrew himself from handling the case, citing ethical and integrity reasons. Izinyon in his letter to Ibrahim, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, said “with what happened yesterday in court with the matter associated with Mr Tayo Jegede’s motion, you’ll recall my person was indicted by the presiding justice as having foreknowledge of the petition written by Poroye, despite my protest and innocence. It is in this regard that I hereby withdraw from further appearance. For professional ethics and my integrity, I cannot continue on this as I was not told or given a copy of the said petition.” Nigerian Pilot recalls that members of the appeal panel led by Justice Jumai Sankey, specially constituted to give accelerated hearings to the case, withdrew on Tuesday over what they described as direct attack and abuse on their persons by Poroye through his petition against the panel. In his reaction through his social media platform, Ibrahim boasted that Izinyon was not privy to the ploy by his team to subvert justice in the case, and that his team won’t relent on all effort to obstruct justice. “In this matter, we have six lawyers going to court while six are in the strategic room. If one is out, two will be added; if one is paid N30million alone, new one will get same. Izinyon is not even aware of cases we filed at Supreme Court. We know which lawyer we use for what.” Also, Izinyon told Ibrahim that his letter of withdrawal was to enable him (Ibrahim) brief another lawyer who would take over the case. He equally talked of a joinder which he did for Ibrahim, an assignment which he was promised N10million but had only received N5million. “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 N10million. 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 N5million from the N10million given as we have done half with N5million you had promised to give for the secretarial service of all the other cases as listed, as set off in the circumstances for the balance,” Izinyon wrote. He also wrote that “the joinder application we filed was on the instruction of your Senator friend as stated above as at the cost he promised, but nothing paid so far.
