As the plot to impeach the Deputy Governor of Ondo State thickens, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approached an Akure High Court to stop the impeachment process.

This is as the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, raised the alarm over alleged threat to his life as a result of the impeachment proceedings.

The speaker, who stated that he has been receiving strange calls over the development, disclosed that some fetish items were placed at the gate of his lodge in the early hours of yesterday by some unknown persons.

While revealing this in the Assembly chambers, yesterday, Oladiji stated that lawmakers, especially those from Ondo South senatorial district, where the deputy governor hails from, have been threatened not to return home.
 
Aiyedatiwa, in an originating summons on his fundamental human rights, sought the declaration of the court to restrain members of the state’s House of Assembly from impeaching him as deputy governor of the state.

Named as defendants in the suit filed by his lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), are the Ondo State Government, the Governor of Ondo State, the Ondo State House of Assembly, the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, the Clerk of Ondo State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge of Ondo State.

In Suit No. AK/348/2023, filed yesterday, Aiyedatiwa is seeking a declaration that the House of Assembly is not competent to proceed on his impeachment in breach of his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair hearing and that the sacking of his media aides and subjecting him to the Ministry of Information, headed by a Commissioner, amounts to a breach of his rights and privileges as a deputy governor.

In the suit, the deputy governor also sought a declaration that his office, tenure, status, rights, and privileges are protected, guaranteed, and secured by the Constitution.

While stating that he is entitled to a fair hearing and that given the utterances and conduct of the House of Assembly so far, there is a likelihood of bias against him in the impeachment process.
 
According to him, in conducting media trials against him without serving him with any notice of gross misconduct, the House Assembly has constituted itself into an accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge.
 
He also sought an order to stop the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting or acting upon any request from the House of Assembly of Ondo State to set up any panel to investigate any acts of gross misconduct against the deputy governor.
 
In the affidavit in support of the originating summons, it was stated that the House of Assembly embarked upon a media trial of the deputy governor purely to scandalise him and incite public opinion against him when, indeed, no notice of acts of alleged gross misconduct was served on him.
 
He also accused the House of Assembly of persecuting him without lawful basis in conspiracy with certain persons, who are gladiators in political circles.

But all attempts to serve the court processes on the House of Assembly have so far been rebuffed, as policemen at the gate denied access to the court bailiff and also counsel from the office of solicitors to the claimant.

It narrates the loyalty of the deputy governor since he assumed office, even in the face of the health challenges of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and how he led the state in prayers for the recovery of the governor. He also denied any act of wrongdoing, stating that he has been loyal to the governor all through their tenure.