Ondo deputy sues state govt, governor, others over impeachment process

Asks court to stop assembly on impeachment

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has sued the Ondo State Government, the Governor of Ondo State and others over impeachment proceedings against him.

Joined in the suit are 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 a suit marked AK/348/2023 filed at the High Court in Akure yesterday, Aiyedatiwa, asked the Ondo State High Court to stop the Ondo State House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in court.

In suit filed by human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), the deputy governor is seeking a declaration of court that the House of Assembly is not competent to proceed on his impeachment in breach of his constitutional and fundamental rights to fair hearing, 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.

He also seeks a declaration of court that his office, tenure, status, rights and privileges are protected, guaranteed and secured by the constitution.

Aiyedatiwa wants the court to declare that in the determination of his civil rights and obligations as a deputy governor of Ondo State by the House of Assembly, he is entitled to fair hearing and that given the utterances and conduct of the House of Assembly so far, there is likelihood of bias against him in the impeachment process, that in conducting media trials against him without serving him with any notice of gross misconduct, the House Assembly has constituted itself into accuser, investigator, prosecutor and the judge.

He further wants an order of injunction to stop the House of Assembly from initiating, continuing or proceeding with the process of his removal from office as the deputy governor of Ondo State.

Aiyedatiwa also seeks 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 him.

In the affidavit in support of the originating summons, he stated that “the House of Assembly embarked upon a media trial of the deputy governor purely to scandalise him and to incite public opinion against him, when indeed no notice of acts of alleged gross misconduct was served on him.”

It is stated further that the House of Assembly is persecuting the deputy governor without lawful basis in conspiracy with certain persons who are gladiators in political circles.

He added: “All attempts made 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 narrated the loyalty of the deputy governor since he assumed office in the face of the health challenges of the governor and how he led the entire State in prayers for the recovery of the governor. The deputy governor denied any act of wrongdoing, stating that he has been loyal to the governor all through their tenure.”