Despite a court order, the Ondo State House of Assembly has said it would not be stopped from carrying out its legislative duties of investigating the allegations leveled against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
A court had earlier issued an ex parte order halting the Assembly from impeaching the deputy governor.
But the Assembly said it can’t be stopped by the court order.
It said the impeachment notice served the Deputy Governor outlined 14 specific allegations of gross misconduct which he is required to respond within seven days from the day of being served.
The allegations encompassed financial mismanagement, misuse of authority with potential harm to the Ondo State government, and publicized statements in the print media that tarnished the Governor’s reputation.
The Speaker of the Ondo Assembly, Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi, in a statement issued Tuesday evening, said the Assembly would strictly follow due process of law as outlined in Section 188(1) – (9) of the Constitution.
According to him, “The House is not unaware of media reports that His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, has rushed to court to stop the impeachment process. Media reports even claim he has secured an injunction from a certain Judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to halt the process.
“The House is shocked that rather than wait to be served with notice of the allegation of gross misconduct, and react to same as required by the Constitution, the Deputy Governor has been running from pillar to post and filing multiple suits in both at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court and the Ondo State High Courts in a bid to stop the legislative process.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the House is fully conscious of Section 188 (10) of the Constitution which clearly states that “No proceedings or determination of the panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court.
“The House has directed its team of Lawyers to investigate the purported injunction secured by the Deputy Governor and report any judicial officer who might have abused his office in granting the unconstitutional ex-parte injunction to the appropriate institution for necessary disciplinary action.
“In conclusion, the House wishes to assure the general public that it will proceed with the legislative process to a logical conclusion, but in doing so, will strictly follow the Constitutional procedures. The House will not abdicate or compromise its sacred constitutional duty to hold elected public officers accountable, particularly where there are prima facie serious allegations of corruption and abuse of power leveled against the Deputy Governor in this case.”
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday restrained the Ondo State House of Assembly from impeaching Aiyedatiwa over alleged gross misconduct.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order in a ruling shortly after Aiyedatiwa’s counsel, Kayode Adewusi, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect.
The judge also restrained Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new Deputy Governor and forwarded the same to the lawmakers for approval pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.
Justice Nwite held 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.
The embattled Deputy Governor had, in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, sued the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services.
Others are Governor Akeredolu, Speaker of the House of Assembly, 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 for four reliefs.
The judge further made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu, his servants or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing and preventing Aiyedatiwa in carrying out the functions of his office as Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
Justice Nwite, who granted all the reliefs, adjourned the matter until October 9 for hearing.
Aiyedatiwa had also in another suit marked: AK/348/2023 prayed the High Court in Akure to stop the state’s house of assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in the court on Monday.