The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has made a move to counter the ongoing impeachment process against him by seeking a court injunction. Aiyedatiwa’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, filed a Motion on Notice on his behalf at the Ondo State High Court in Akure on Monday.
In his motion, Aiyedatiwa is requesting that the court intervene and put a stop to the impeachment proceedings until his lawsuit is heard and resolved. The basis of his argument lies in 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 leveled against him.
The State House of Assembly initiated the impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa last Wednesday, alleging gross misconduct. Aiyedatiwa, in suit No. AK/348/2023, contends that the House of Assembly lacks the competence to proceed with his impeachment as it infringes upon his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair hearing.
In addition to this, Aiyedatiwa claims that the termination of the appointment of his media aides and his placement under the Ministry of Information, headed by a commissioner, violates his rights and privileges as the deputy governor. He asserts that the House of Assembly has been conducting media trials against him without any prior notice of the alleged gross misconduct, and further argues that the Assembly has taken on the roles of accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge.
Furthermore, Aiyedatiwa has 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.
