Akeredolu’s deputy, Aiyedatiwa takes legal action to halt impeachment

In a bid to counter the ongoing impeachment process against him, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approached the court to seek an injunction to prevent the State House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment process.

The deputy governor’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, filed a Motion on Notice on behalf of Aiyedatiwa at the Ondo State High Court in Akure on Monday.

The motion urged the court to intervene and halt the impeachment proceedings until the lawsuit filed by Aiyedatiwa is heard and resolved.

Aiyedatiwa’s primary argument is centered around a violation of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is seeking an order from the court to set aside any alleged process or notice of gross misconduct llevelled against him.

The impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa was initiated by the State House of Assembly last Wednesday over alleged gross misconduct.

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In suit No. AK/348/2023, Aiyedatiwa stated that the House of Assembly lacks the competence to proceed with his impeachment, as it violates his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair hearing.

He also claimed that the termination of the appointment of his media aides and his placement under the Ministry of Information, headed by a commissioner, constitutes a violation of his rights and privileges as deputy governor.

According to him, the House of Assembly has been engaging in media trials against him without providing any prior notice of alleged gross misconduct, adding that the Assembly has taken on the roles of accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge.

He also requested an order to prohibit the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting or acting upon any request from the House of Assembly to establish a panel for investigating any alleged acts of gross misconduct attributed to him.

The respondents in the suit are the Ondo State Government, the Governor of Ondo State, Ondo State House of Assembly, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Clerk of Ondo State House of Assembly and Chief Judge of Ondo State.