Ondo House of Assembly Proceeds With Deputy Governor’s Impeachment Despite Legal Challenges

Akure, Ondo State– Despite legal challenges and a court order, the Ondo State House of Assembly has decided to press forward with the impeachment process of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The move comes after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa to respond to allegations of gross misconduct lodged against him by certain lawmakers.

The decision to continue with the impeachment proceedings is in direct contradiction to a court order that had barred the House from taking any such actions pending the resolution of a lawsuit filed by Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa himself.

In defence of their stance, the House of Assembly has cited the Nigerian Constitution, asserting that the judiciary cannot obstruct their constitutional duty.

The Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, declared during a plenary session on Tuesday, October 3, that “the impeachment process will continue in line with the 1999 Constitution since the deputy governor failed to respond within the seven days stipulated by the law.”

Furthermore, Speaker Oladiji issued a fresh directive to the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Olusegun Odusola, urging him to “immediately” constitute a seven-person panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the Deputy Governor.

Chief Judge Olusegun Odusola is a co-defendant in the lawsuit filed by Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has also responded to another lawsuit filed by the Deputy Governor at the State High Court, describing it as an “abuse of court process.”