Ondo Assembly Suspends Impeachment Proceedings Against Deputy Governor

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State House of Assembly may have hit brick wall in its bid to impeach the deputy governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Already, the Assembly has put on hold proceedings relating to the removal of Aiyedatiwa till further notice, as reliably gathered.

The initial frustration of the Legislators came after the Chief Judge of the state, Olusegun Odusola, refused to set up a panel to investigate the deputy governor on the expiration of the seven days within which to do that.

The Judge had advised the assembly to first vacate to Injunction granted by the Federal High Court, Abuja before any action could be taken.

In a letter to the Speaker of the Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, dated October 6, 2023, the Chief Judge said he could not comply with the directive because of the order of the Federal High Court issued in Abuja.

The House had earlier vowed to proceed with the process despite an order of the Federal High Court, citing sections of the constitution forbidding the interference of the courts in an impeachment process at a legislative house.

The spokesperson of the Assembly, Olatunji Oshati, said on Friday that the lawmakers will comply with the order and halt further proceedings on the impeachment.

“This is to show that it is not about witch-hunting, it is about carrying out our oversight functions.

“We have considered the letter which is everywhere in the public domain and we are halting the impeachment process until the order of the Federal High Court is vacated.

“It is not about being arrogant with power, it is about holding public officers accountable.

“It also shows that the process of impeachment transcends the monopoly of the legislature as we can see that the judiciary has stalled it.”