Court stops Ondo deputy governor’s impeachment

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Ondo State House of Assembly from impeaching the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged gross misconduct.

The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, made the declaration in a ruling shortly after Aiyedatiwa’s counsel, Kayode Adewusi, on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect.

Justice Nwite also restrained Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and forward the same to the lawmakers for approval pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

The judge declared that after listening to Adewusi, he was of the view that the interest of justice would be met by granting the application.

“Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds,” he said.

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The embattled deputy governor had, in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Others are Governor Akeredolu, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, and the House of Assembly as 1st to 6th respondents, respectively.

In the application dated and filed by Adelanke Akinrata on September 21, Aiyedatiwa sought four reliefs.

The judge further made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu and his appointees from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing, and preventing Aiyedatiwa in carrying out the functions of his office as the deputy governor of Ondo State.

Justice Nwite, who granted all the reliefs, adjourned the matter until October 9, 2023, for hearing.

Aiyedatiwa had in another suit marked: AK/348/2023 prayed the High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to stop the Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in the court on Monday, September 25.

The Star