In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an injunction preventing the Ondo House of Assembly from pursuing the impeachment of Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on allegations of gross misconduct.
The decision was made by Justice Emeka Nwite after the presentation of an ex-parte motion by Mr. Aiyedatiwa’s lawyer, Kayode Adewusi.
In addition to restraining the Ondo House of Assembly from pursuing the impeachment process, the court also issued an order preventing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and forwarding such a nomination to the lawmakers for approval. These measures will remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.
Justice Nwite justified the decision by stating, “Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds,” after considering Mr. Adewusi’s arguments.
In the motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa had initiated legal proceedings against the Inspector-General of Police, the State Security Service (SSS), Governor Akeredolu, the Speaker of the Ondo Parliament, the Ondo Chief Judge, and the State House of Assembly as the first to sixth respondents, respectively.
The application, dated and filed on September 21, sought four key reliefs.
Furthermore, Justice Nwite ordered an interim injunction that prevents Governor Akeredolu, his associates, or agents from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing, or obstructing Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa from fulfilling his duties as the deputy governor of Ondo State.
The court set the next hearing for October 9 to address the substantive matter.
In a related development, Mr. Aiyedatiwa initiated another lawsuit, marked AK/348/2023, in the Akure Division of the Ondo High Court, seeking to halt the assembly’s impeachment proceedings against him until the court rules on the case filed on Monday.
