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  • Impeachment: Why Akeredolu rejected Aiyedatiwa’s apology – Sources

    Impeachment: Why Akeredolu rejected Aiyedatiwa’s apology – Sources

    Sketchy details have emerged on why Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu rejected the apology tendered by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    A top government official said the apology tendered by Aiyedatiwa does not contain a specific interest in conflict.

    The official said Aiyedatiwa failed to carry out proper underground lobbying and meeting specific stakeholders in the state before tendering the apology.

    It was gathered that Governor Akeredolu informed his inner circle that he was shocked to hear that Aiyedatiwa had apologised to him through a press conference.

    Another government official said Governor Akeredolu was earlier peeved that Aiyedatiwa travelled to Abuja without informing him and after he (Aiyedatiwa) returned to Akure, pictures flooded the social media of Aiyedatiwa in his office.

    The official said the reason Aiyedatiwa tendered the apology was because some northern APC leaders he relied on to save him turned around to ask him to resign after they heard from Akeredolu.

    He said: “When we heard about the press conference, we thought it was going to be in line with what Aiyedatiwa has told people that he was going to fight dirty but he changed his mind when pictures of Aketi came out that he was not bedridden or not on a wheelchair. That was the reason for the apology. He was clever by half.

    “Nobody can point to anything he said in the apology tendered. Will the people not question the Assembly if they dropped the investigation based on the apology?

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    “Mr Governor said he did not hear from Aiyedatiwa. Moreover, Aiyedatiwa made it look like it was Aketi who directed the Assembly to impeach him.

    “Aiyedatiwa would have made an effort to reach Aketi. He would have done his underground work but suddenly we saw an apology after seeing pictures of Aketi alive.

    “Those people in Abuja he went to pledge loyalty to tell him to resign but he did not tell his supporters what transpired.”

    Aiyedatiwa had said at a press conference, “I tendered this reserved apology because of the embarrassment and discomforts he faces. The event has brought all kinds of negative news. He deserves the unreserved apology. I am at the centre. That is exactly what I am tendring this apology for.

    “We have continued to read in the media, all sorts of lies fabricated to create crisis just for the purpose of. The recent impeachment attempt by the election House of Assembly and the ensuing reactions have further created division and chaos, with my loyalty to Mr. Governor being questioned.

    “It is, therefore, imperative for me to put on record that there has never been any issue between Mr. Governor and myself and I have never undermined him. Political actors have only taken advantage of his absence to create a non-existent crisis for their own selfish interests.

    “I am profoundly grateful to Mr. Governor for his intervention and role in persuading the distinguished members of Ondo State House of Assembly to embrace the political solution offered by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the face of the impeachment move.

    “It is in reference to all of the above that I tender my unreserved apologies to Mr. Governor for the embarrassment and discomfort that the political chaos of these past months has caused him and the good people of Ondo State.”

    Governor Akeredolu who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, said the only course of honour for Aiyedatiwa was for him to defend allegations of gross misconduct levelled by the State House of Assembly.

    Akeredolu explained that he was not averse to embracing, cautiously, any seeming overtures impelled by genuine contriteness

    He said any snide suggestion of ‘meddlesomeness in the business of the second arm of government by the Governor is repudiated with vehemence. Mr Governor cannot descend too low.’

    According to the statement, “The good people of Ondo State are too discerning to be hoodwinked with dissembling equivocation. Keen observers of events, as they have been unfolding in the State, cannot miss the import of the malicious intents, insensitive posturing and diabolical projections of the last six months in the Government of the Sunshine State.

    “The major sponsors of these acts of subterfuge should be ashamed of themselves. The very suggestion that these brazen and shameless acts of moral turpitude happened without the knowledge of the projected, most prominent beneficiary and active enabler of this disgrace, should make meaning to those who towed this path of infamy.

    “The best respect that all elected and appointed officials of the Government can display to the people should find expression in the unconditional reverence for the institution which represents them. The Deputy Governor referred to the allegations of malfeasance levelled against him by the House of Assembly as “all sorts of lies against my person in the media”. It is only decent that we advise him to take this defence to the same House of Assembly which came up with 14 allegations of gross misconduct against him.”

  • We won’t back down on impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa, Ondo Speaker vows

    We won’t back down on impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa, Ondo Speaker vows

    Ondo Speaker Hon Olamide Oladiji has said last week’s apology by Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was not a concern of the Assembly.

    Hon Oladiji said the apology was a personal issue between Aiyedatiwa and Governor Akeredolu.

    Oladiji said the Assembly would continue with the impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa.

    Aiyedatiwa last week said he “tendered this reserved apology because of the embarrassment and discomforts he faces. The event has brought all kinds of negative news. He deserve the unreserved apology. I am at the center.That is exactly what I am tendring this apology for.”

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    But Governor Akeredolu, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr Doyin Odebowale, said the only course of honour for Aiyedatiwa was for him to face allegations of gross misconduct raised by the Assembly.

    Speaker Oladiji, who debunked crisis in the Assembly over the impeachment move against Aiyedatiwa, said steps have been taken to unite the lawmakers.

    He said the lawmakers were on the same course on investigating allegations against Aiyedatiwa.

  • Aiyedatiwa: why I apologised to Akeredolu

    Aiyedatiwa: why I apologised to Akeredolu

    Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has said he tendered unreserved apology to his boss, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, due “to the embarrassment the political chaos of these past months has caused him and the good people of Ondo State.”

    He said political contenders preparing for next year’s governorship election had exploited the situation in the state.

    He said Ondo State had witnessed series of events triggered by the health challenges faced by the governor, which he noted gave rise to assumption, falsehood, insinuation, misunderstanding, misconception and exploitation by political contenders preparing for the 2024 governorship election.

    Addressing reporters at his Alagbaka office, the deputy governor said he was saddened by the embarrassment and discomfort Governor Akeredolu faced due to the barrage of negative news in the state as a result of the events of the last few months.

    He said he had only met Governor Akeredolu twice since his (Akeredolu’s) return to the country and had not had the opportunity to state his own side of the story or properly brief the governor on his stewardship as acting governor.

    Speaking about the lessons to be learnt from the crisis, Aiyedatiwa said he learnt that loyalty pays.

    He said there could be misconceptions while working in a setting.

    “You should remain stable. Irrespective of whatever is said, truth will prevail when you remain stable, committed and loyal. Loyalty pays.

    “I tendered this unreserved apology because of the embarrassment and discomfort the governor faces. The event has brought all kinds of negative news. He deserves unreserved apology. I am at the centre. That is exactly what I am tendering this apology for.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Aiyedatiwa apologises to Akeredolu

    According to him, “we have continued to read in the media, all sorts of lies fabricated to create crisis. The recent impeachment attempt by the House of Assembly and the ensuing reactions have further created division and chaos, with my loyalty to Mr. Governor being questioned.

    “It is, therefore, imperative for me to put it on record that there has never been any issue between Mr. Governor and myself. I have never undermined him. Political actors have only taken advantage of his absence to create a non-existent crisis for their own selfish interests.

    “I am profoundly grateful to Mr. Governor for his intervention and role in persuading the distinguished members of Ondo State House of Assembly to embrace the political solution offered by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the face of the impeachment move.”

  • Impeachment: Aiyedatiwa cautions Chief Judge against setting up panel

    Impeachment: Aiyedatiwa cautions Chief Judge against setting up panel

    The deputy governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has cautioned Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola, against honouring another request by the Ondo State House of Assembly to set up a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him.

    Aiyedatiwa said the Ondo Assembly lied in its letter to the CJ that the restraining Order of an Abuja High Court has elapsed or became extinguished by the operation of the law, in view of the provisions of Order 26 Rule 10(2) & (3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

    The deputy governor, in a letter to Justice Odusola, through his Counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said the latest Assembly letter was based on conjectures, misconceptions, inconsistencies, undue desperation, and misconstruction of the law.

    Aiyedatiwa insisted that the Orders granted by the Federal High Court, Abuja on September 26, 2023, were still in force and remained valid and subsisting, contrary to the conclusion of the Assembly that the said Orders had expired by operation of law.

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    He said the Court directed that “the Orders granted on 26th September 2023 should last till the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction, which is still pending before the Court.”

    Aiyedatiwa told Justice Oldusola that the Court has not set aside the pending orders and the order could not be extinguished by the application to set it aside since it was combined with the hearing of the substantive suit.

    He said the Ondo Assembly was inconsistent in its action by claiming that the Orders had expired whilst, pursuing an appeal against the said Orders.

    He said: “Contrary to this misconception of law and the facts, the same House of Assembly filed a Motion on Notice dated 20th October 2023, before the Court of Appeal, Abuja in respect of the same orders of the Federal High Court, praying for abridgement of time to hear its appeal against the said orders.

    “If it is true that the orders expired by operation of law on 18th October 2023 as being falsely canvassed, why would the same House of Assembly file a fresh application two days later, in pursuit of its desire to set aside the said orders that it claimed have expired? While the Assembly is pursuing its appeal to set aside the orders in Court, it is deviously asking My Lord to set aside the same orders in Chambers, purportedly by operation of law.

    The deputy governor reminded the Chief Judge of his principled position as stated in his letter to the Assembly on October 3, 2023, that all parties should await the hearing of the cases in court, stating that nothing has changed to warrant a departure from the stand of the Chief Judge.

    He said there were other cases pending before the Akure High Court on the same subject matter of impeachment and urged Justice Odusola not to allow the Assembly to ridicule the Courts and their authority.

  • Ondo Assembly pushes ahead with Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment 

    Ondo Assembly pushes ahead with Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment 

    • CJ gets another letter to set up panel

    Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday restarted the impeachment process against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    The process was suspended following the intervention by All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdulahi Ganduje.

    Chief Judge of Ondo State  Olusegun Odusola also declined to constitute a panel that will investigate the misconduct allegations leveled against Aiyedatiwa by the lawmakers.

    During Ganduje’s meeting with a delegation from the assembly led by Speaker Oladiji Olamide, it was decided that the impeachment process be put on hold to allow for a political resolution of the crisis.

    One of the conditions was for Aiyedatiwa to withdraw the cases he filed to stall the impeachment.

    Sources said the assembly opted to resume the impeachment process when it received no notice that Aiyedatiwa had withdrawn the cases as agreed.

    Yesterday, the Speaker, wrote another letter to the Chief Judge, requesting him to constitute a panel to investigate the allegations levelled against Aiyedatiwa in line with Section 188 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

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    He told Justice Odusola that the restraining order of an Abuja High Court had elapsed or become extinguished by the operation of the law, in view of the provisions of Order 26 Rule 10(2) & (3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

    Oladiji said the court had not heard the motion the assembly filed to discharge the order and/or strike out the case for want of jurisdiction.

    The letter reads: “The court has not taken the application or renewed the order, as evident in the Certified True Copy of the court’s record of proceedings for October 9, 2023 and October 16, 2023.

    “In Exhibit ODHA3, it was recorded that the motion was served on the plaintiff in court on October 9, 2023, after which the matter was adjourned till October 16, 2023.

    “In view of the above facts, your lordship will agree that the said order has elapsed by the operation of the law, and no longer constitutes an encumbrance for your lordship to discharge the sacred constitutional obligation placed on your office by virtue of Section 188

    (5) of the constitution to set up 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.”

    Majority Leader Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi insisted that the impeachment process was never suspended.

    He said the assembly did not receive any evidence that Aiyedatiwa withdrew the cases.

    Ogunmolasuyi said 23 lawmakers agreed that the chief judge should constitute the panel.

    “Should we wait for the party before we perform our duty? As an arm of government we have followed due process and the impeachment process has never been suspended.

    “This is a constitutional issue. There is an allegation which we have furnished the deputy governor and he has not replied.”

  • Aiyedatiwa loses bid to stall impeachment

    Aiyedatiwa loses bid to stall impeachment

    • Court fixes October 30 for suit
    • I’m in charge, Akeredolu tells protesting PDP chieftains

    Embattled Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa yesterday lost a bid to stall his impeachment by the House of Assembly.

    The Federal High Court in Abuja rejected his request for an indefinite adjournment of his case challenging the impeachment.

    In a ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed Aiyedatiwa’s application for indefinite adjournment of his suit, pending the outcome of the intervention in the crisis by the peace committee set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reconcile him and his principal, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

    The court fixed October 30 to hear all pending applications by parties in the case.

    However, anti-Akeredolu protests began yesterday at the Ondo State secretariat of the opposition Peoples Democratic (PDP) in Akure by youths who vowed to continue the demonstration until the governor return to the state

    The governor fired back, saying that he was in charge of the affairs of the state.

    Akeredolu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, warned the PDP against sensationalism.

    Aiyedatiwa, through his lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), had urged the court to suspend proceedings in the case indefinitely, pending when the National Judicial Council (NJC) would dispenses with a petition written against Justice Nwite by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

    Justice Nwite, in his ruling, held that it was in the interest of justice for the court to hear the suit.

    The judge added that it was improper to grant indefinite adjournment because there are other political parties, whose members are in the House of Assembly.

    He noted that lawyers to the defendants have also indicated that they were not interested in the reconciliatory effort.

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly vows to continue Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment

    Following the ruling, the court heard from lawyers to parties on how they would proffer the court to proceed.

    After listening to the lawyers’ different suggestions, Justice Nwite ruled that he will hear all pending applications on October 30.

    He said the court will hear the notice of  preliminary objection filed by Akeredolu and the counter-affidavit filed by Aiyedatiwa.

    The judge also agreed to hear, on the next day,  an application filed by the House of Assembly and its Speaker challenging the jurisdiction of the court, along with a motion for a stay of the execution of the interim orders made by the court on September 26, stopping further impeachment action against Aiyedatiwa.

    PDP begins protests

    Spokesman for the Ondo PDP, Kennedy Peretei, spoke with reporters on the protest after security operatives stormed the secretariat of the PDP to stop the protest.

    The combined team of policemen and Directorate of State Service (DSS) officials  were at the PDP Secretariat with an Amourned Personnel Carrier (APC) and over eight Hilux vehicles.

    Many people were prevented from gaining access into the secretariat.

    Sources said the security operatives took the step to prevent a clash between the PDP protesters and Akeredolu’s supporters.

    Sources said some persons were arrested on Sunday night and released yesterday with a warning not to cause trouble in the state.

    Peretei complained that the staff of the secretariat were denied access to their offices.

    He called on the Inspector General of Police and the Ondo Commissioner of Police to immediately withdraw their men from the secretariat.

    Peretei said: “It took frantic efforts of members of the PDP State Working Committee before the secretariat gate was opened amidst serious tension and confrontation.

    “As much as the officers tried to stop the protest, they failed because the youths displayed their banners and placards to journalists who gained entrance into the secretariat.

    “We cannot be intimidated by security agents who are paid with taxpayers’ money. We have the right to demand for the whereabouts of the governor if he is missing in action”.

    Another PDP chieftain, Akintade Tayo, said the party members were embarrassed because security agencies were notified to avoid  holding the party responsible for any breakdown of law and order.

    Ondo Police spokesman Superintendent of Police Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya said policemen were at the PDP Secretariat to maintain law and order.

    She said the police received a letter that was not signed by any official of the PDP, but by one Oluyi Tayo.

    She said: “There was nothing to show in the letter who wanted to protest. There was no number and we wanted to protect the PDP. We do not want any protest without known organisers. From our background check, we are not sure Tayo is actually the chairman of the PDP Youth Wing.”

    Akeredolu to protesters: I am in charge

    Akeredolu, who insisted he was in charge of the state, warned against sensationalism  saying that PDP should focus on tangible progress being made in the state.

    He in the statement that his location has not hindered any form of development in the state.

    Akeredolu said his commitment to development has not slacked,  irrespective of his location, recalling that he recently signed the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) bill into Law.

    The statement reads: “This is a progressive step towards the development of the state, further reinforcing the fact that the government is operational and effectively functioning.

    Read Also: I am in charge, Akeredolu tells protesting PDP

    “In the same vein, the various state ministries are delivering efficiently on their mandates. Specifically, the Ministry of the Budget and Economic Planning recently commenced a series of town hall meetings in preparation for the 2024 budget, demonstrating the government’s dedication to transparent and inclusive governance.

    “Just few weeks ago, the Governor instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands & Housing to commence the permanent rehabilitation of the Akure-Owena-Ondo Road. This action was taken to prevent unnecessary hardship and loss of lives on the federal highways located within Ondo State territory.

    “To alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, the state government, through the palliative committee led by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, is actively distributing palliatives to the state’s residents. Moreover, the state’s free school shuttle buses have resumed operations, providing transportation for children to school. Civil servants are also benefiting from special transportation arrangements to and from work.”

    “Significant progress is being made in the construction of the ultra-modern University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure. Furthermore, the government ensures the prompt payment of workers’ salaries as and when due.”

  • Ondo Assembly vows to see Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment to logical end

    Ondo Assembly vows to see Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment to logical end

    Ondo Assembly has vowed to follow all due processes to see the impeachment processes it commenced against Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to a logical end. 

    It said it never suspended the impeachment process. 

    The Ondo Assembly said its decision to carry on the impeachment process to a logical conclusion was to determine the veracity or otherwise of the allegations of gross misconduct against Aiyedatiwa. 

    Counsel to the Assembly, Femi Emodamori, in a statement in Akure, said the Assembly has meticulously complied with the constitutional provisions leading up to the obligation placed on the State Chief Judge to set up a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations, as stipulated in Section 188(5) of the Constitution. 

    Emodamori said notice of allegations of gross misconduct was signed by eleven members of the House.

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly denies halting Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment

    He said the Assembly would take necessary legal steps to vacate or quash the order and/or the entire suit at the Federal High Court, in order to untie  the hands of the Ondo Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola and proceed with the impeachment to a logical conclusion. 

    “The general public would recall that a similar suit instituted by the same Deputy Governor on the same subject matter at the Ondo State High Court was dismissed on 10th October, 2023 for constituting an abuse of Court process, following a preliminary objection which we filed on behalf of our Client,” he said. 

  • Adhere to rule of law, civil societies warn Ondo Assembly

    Adhere to rule of law, civil societies warn Ondo Assembly

    African Civil Society Forum (AFRICSOF) has expressed concern about the absence of procedural democracy in the impeachment process of Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Ayiedatiwa by the House of Assembly.

    The group, a conglomerate of civil societies in Africa, at a news conference in Abuja, cautioned the lawmakers to be guided by the rule of law and democratic procedure.

    Addressing reporters, the Chairman of the governing board of the forum, Dr. Tunji John Asaolu, expressed concern that the impeachment saga was becoming a misused political tool.

    He said: “We express our deep concern over the steps taken by the lawmakers to impeach Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa, based on allegations. While we do not condone any form of misconduct or impeachment per se, we believe impeachment proceedings must be conducted in accordance with the law and clear constitutional provisions that govern Nigeria.

    “Inasmuch as we agreed that the Ondo State House of Assembly is meant to make laws for the state, they should also be mindful of the fact that there is an ongoing court injunction and the nine-man reconciliation committee under the leadership of Aminu Masari, a former governor of Katsina State, set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national level.

    “On September 26, 2023, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja also made orders of injunction restraining the House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, the Ondo Governor and indeed other defendants in the case from taking steps that would lead to the impeachment of the Deputy Governor. 

    “The court made the order to last till the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction, which is still pending before the court. In consequence, parties would have to await the determination of the court, as the orders made remain in force. All these should be taken into consideration and serve as a caution to guide the decision of the Assembly. 

    Read Also: Impeachment: Ondo Court strikes out Aiyedatiwa’s suit

    “We oppose the use of legislative chambers as platforms for political witch-hunts or targeted vendettas or wars. We urge stakeholders involved to ensure justice is pursued, and constitutional principles are adhered to, rather than allowing personal conflicts and ambitions to overshadow the pursuit of the common good.”

    The group warned that the development should not divert attention from the vital issues of good governance and the well-being of the state’s citizens.

    “The neglect of governance resulting from this political crisis has had a devastating impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people of Ondo State. We condemn this negligence as needless and avoidable, and we call for an immediate refocus on matters that directly affect the state’s fortunes and the welfare of its people.

    “Let it be clear – that AFRICSOF and the people of Ondo State will not give their approval to actions driven by sinister motives aimed at settling personal political scores and undermining the state and its people. 

    “We caution against retooling the Ondo State House of Assembly as a mere enforcement arm of executive whims. Any such actions will face steadfast resistance from the people.

    “AFRICSOF emphasises the need for increased accountability in government and a return to prioritising issues with a direct impact on the state’s prosperity and the welfare of its people. 

    “We call upon stakeholders, both within and outside of Ondo State, to join us in safeguarding the principles that underpin our democracy, ensuring that Ondo State thrives as a beacon of good governance.

    “We view the actions of the State Assembly as a disservice to the person and office of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who in his sound mind, will not tolerate the actions of the Speaker of the State Assembly and his co-travellers. 

    “The impeachment threat is a mockery of the governor on his sick bed. How will the governor feel at the moment, managing his health and hearing of his deputy’s impeachment threat, it’s a ploy to kill the governor faster than the ailments he is fighting.

    “We want to caution politicians to desist from activities that may detribalise Nigerian democracy. We encourage them to always imbibe the tenet of democracy and observe the rule of law for the overall interest of the country.”

    Asaolu called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of State Security Service and the Nigerian Judiciary “to protect our democracy and ensure its sustainability.”

  • Impeachment: Ondo Court strikes out Aiyedatiwa’s suit

    Impeachment: Ondo Court strikes out Aiyedatiwa’s suit

    An OndoStatee High Court, sitting in Akure, has struck out the suit instituted by the deputy governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for lack of jurisdiction and abuse of court processes.

    Aiyedatiwa had approached the court to stop the Ondo State House of Assembly from impeaching him for alleged gross misconduct.

    At the last court sitting, the Ondo Assembly filed a motion, challenging the competence of the substantive suit by relying on section 188(10) of the Nigeria Constitution.

    Read Also: Impeachment: Court reserves ruling on Aiyedatiwa suit for October 10

    It said section 188 (10) ousted the jurisdiction of the court adding that the suit was premature since the Assembly was yet to conclude the impeachment proceedings especially when there was no request before the Chief Judge to constitute a panel of investigators.

    The Assembly also contended that the suit constituted an abuse of court processes saying a similar suit was also filed in Abuja by the Deputy Governor.

    Delivery judgment, Justice O. Akintan-Osadebay, declined jurisdiction to avoid conflicting verdicts between Ondo High Court and Abuja Federal High Court.

    Justice Osadebay held that it was a gross abuse of the court process to engage in “forum shopping, by instituting the same case in Akure and Abuja High Court.

  • Impeachment: Court reserves ruling on Aiyedatiwa suit for October 10

    Impeachment: Court reserves ruling on Aiyedatiwa suit for October 10

    An Ondo State High Court based in Akure has set aside October 10 for the delivery of a ruling regarding two applications in the lawsuit initiated by the deputy governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    Both applications were filed by Aiyedatiwa and the Ondo state House of Assembly.

    Aiyedatiwa, in his application, sought leave of the court to amend the Originating Summons, by striking out the name of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as well as amend the reliefs sought in the Originating Summons.

    In an affidavit to support the application, Aiyedatiwa said there was a need to amend the Originating Summons in order to bring the real issues in controversy between parties before the court.

    The Ondo House of Assembly, in its motion, challenged the competence of the substantive suit by relying on section 188(10) of the Nigeria Constitution.

    It said section 188 (10) ousted the jurisdiction of the court adding that the suit was premature since the Assembly was yet to conclude the impeachment proceedings especially when there was no request before the Chief Judge to constitute a panel of investigators.

    The Assembly also contended that the suit constituted an abuse of court processes saying a similar suit was also filed in Abuja by the deputy governor.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa fails to respond to petition, says Assembly

    In his reply on points of law, counsel to the Deputy Governor, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said the application of the Ondo Assembly amounted to a demurrer in law as they ought to have filed their defence and then raised all their preliminary points of law in their defence.

    He stated that the court could not make an application for an amendment along with a preliminary objection as the objection could only be based on the substantive suit that was yet to be amended.

    Adegboruwa said the Assembly did not place any material before the Court to indicate compliance with the procedure for removal from office.

    Adegboruwa argued that the case instituted in Abuja concerned different parties and for different reliefs.

    After hearing arguments from counsel to all the parties, the presiding Judge, Justice Akintan-Osadebay, adjourned further proceedings to October 10, 2023, for ruling.