Despite efforts by the APC leadership to heal the political schism in Ondo State, the State Assembly has written a new letter to the state Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, requesting the formation of a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Remember that the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, formed a high-powered team to mediate disagreements between Aiyedatiwa, the State Assembly, and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
However, in a letter signed by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, the House stated that the impeachment process resumed following the expiration of the Federal High Court’s ex parte decision.
The letter was headlined, ‘Request to create a seven-man panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, following the expiration of the interim injunction granted by the Federal High Court in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023 by operation of law.’
“The Ondo State House of Assembly had requested Your Lordship on 3rd October 2023 to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct leveled by the House against the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, in accordance with Section 188 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
“In a reply letter dated October 6, 2023, Your Lordship acknowledged and quoted Section 188 (10) of the Constitution, which states, ‘No proceedings or determination of the House of Assembly or the panel, or any matter relating to such proceedings or determination, shall be entertained or questioned in any court.’
“Your Lordship, however, opined that your hands would remain tied until the ex parte order made on September 26, 2023, by the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court restraining you from setting up the panel was either vacated or set aside.”
“However, based on the facts and legal advice available to the House, the said order has now lapsed and/or been extinguished by operation of law, in light of the clear provisions of Order 26 Rule 10 (2) & (3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.”
“Your Lordship would agree that the said order has lapsed by operation of law and no longer constitutes an impediment to Your Lordship carrying out the sacred constitutional obligation placed on your office by virtue of Section 188 (5) of the Constitution to establish the seven-man panel.”
“Consequently, the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly hereby calls on Your Lordship to kindly constitute the panel without any further delay.”
Remember that the House had postponed the impeachment procedure against the deputy governor after the APC’s national leadership intervened.
The Speaker announced the suspension of the impeachment proceedings after a meeting with the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and other party stalwarts in Abuja.
The House then demanded that Aiyedatiwa withdraw all of the lawsuits she had brought against the MPs and Akeredolu.
