The Ondo State House of Assembly took a significant step on Monday by serving an impeachment notice to Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
In response, Aiyedatiwa swiftly moved to the Ondo State High Court, seeking an injunction to halt the impeachment proceedings against him until the court hears and determines his case.
Simultaneously, a group operating under the banner of the Ondo Redemption Front (ORF) has called upon the National Assembly to intervene in the alleged impeachment process initiated by the state Assembly against Aiyedatiwa.
During a press briefing in Akure, Speaker of the State Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, confirmed that Aiyedatiwa had been served the impeachment notice through substituted service. However, he also revealed a deeply concerning incident involving his own safety. Oladiji expressed alarm over the discovery of fetish objects placed at the entrance to his official lodge on Monday. He appealed to both the citizens of Ondo State and security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“These threats started since the day we started the impeachment process. I have been receiving strange calls. My life has also been under serious threat from unknown people. I want to call on the people of Ondo State and security operatives to track these people down,” he stated.
In Suit No. AK/348/2023 filed at the High Court in Akure on Monday, Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa sought a declaration asserting that the Assembly lacked the competence to proceed with his impeachment, which he argued violated his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair hearing. Aiyedatiwa contended that the termination of his media aides and their placement under the Ministry of Information, led by a commissioner, constituted a breach of his rights and privileges as deputy governor.
Furthermore, he sought a declaration affirming that his office, tenure, status, rights, and privileges were safeguarded by the Constitution, and that he was entitled to a fair hearing in the determination of his civil rights and obligations as Deputy Governor. Aiyedatiwa expressed concern that the House of Assembly, by conducting media trials without serving him with a notice of gross misconduct, had taken on the roles of accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge.
Aiyedatiwa’s legal action sought injunctions to prevent the House of Assembly from initiating, continuing, or proceeding with his removal from office as deputy governor of Ondo State. He also requested an order to prevent the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting or acting upon any request from the House of Assembly to establish a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against him.
The lawsuit, filed by human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, named the Ondo State Government, the Governor of Ondo State, Ondo State House of Assembly, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Clerk of Ondo State House of Assembly, and Chief Judge of Ondo State as defendants.
In the supporting affidavit for the originating summons, it was asserted that the Assembly had engaged in a media trial of the deputy governor with the sole purpose of defaming him and stirring public opinion against him, even though no notice of alleged gross misconduct had been served on him.
Aiyedatiwa accused the Assembly of unjustly persecuting him in cahoots with certain political figures, without a lawful basis. Additionally, he stated that all attempts to serve court processes on the House of Assembly had been obstructed, with police personnel at the gate preventing the court bailiff and counsel from gaining access to the assembly.
Aiyedatiwa affirmed his unwavering loyalty throughout his tenure, particularly during Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health challenges. He vehemently denied any wrongdoing and emphasized his dedication to the governor during their time in office.
Furthermore, a letter dated September 25, 2023, from the chambers of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) and Co. was delivered to the office of the Chief Judge of Ondo State, providing copies of the court processes for the Chief Judge’s information.