Court stops Ondo assembly from impeaching Aiyedatiwa

A federal high court in Abuja has restrained the Ondo state house of assembly from impeaching Lucky Aiyedatiwa, deputy governor of the state.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, gave the ruling on Tuesday after Kayode Adewusi, counsel to Aiyedatiwa, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect.

The judge also restrained Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, from nominating a new deputy.

Nwite held that after listening to Adewusi, he is of the view that the interest of justice would be met by granting the application.

“Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds,” NAN quoted Nwite as saying.

The judge further made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu, his servants or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing and preventing Aiyedatiwa from carrying out the functions of his office as deputy governor of Ondo state.

Nwite adjourned the case to October 9 for further hearing.

ALLEGED RIFT WITH AKEREDOLU

On Monday, Aiyedatiwa also approached a high court in Akure in a suit marked: AK/348/2023 and prayed the court to stop the Ondo house of assembly from impeaching him.

The state house of assembly on Monday served an impeachment notice on Aiyedatiwa.

Olamide Oladiji, speaker of the house, told journalists in Akure that Aiyedatiwa was served through substituted service.

The assembly had on Wednesday, during a plenary session, directed the clerk to write the deputy governor over alleged gross misconduct.

The deputy governor was also accused of abuse of office.

Aiyedatiwa was in charge of the state’s affairs when Akeredolu travelled to Germany on a three-month medical leave.

Four days after his return to Nigeria, Akeredolu sacked the media aides attached to the office of the deputy governor.

The development came amid rumours of a growing rift between Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu.

However, the deputy governor debunked the rumours, saying he remains loyal to his principal.