The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on Tuesday, issued a crucial injunction preventing the Ondo House of Assembly from pursuing the impeachment of Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The grounds for this injunction were allegations of gross misconduct. Justice Emeka Nwite made this pivotal decision after considering an ex-parte motion presented by Mr. Aiyedatiwa’s lawyer, Kayode Adewusi.
Additionally, the judge ordered Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to refrain from nominating a new deputy governor or submitting such a nomination to the lawmakers for approval.
This directive will remain in place until the substantive matter is heard and resolved.
Judge Nwite expressed that granting the application was in the interest of justice, firmly stating, “Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds.”
In a related motion on notice identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, the embattled deputy governor initiated legal action against various parties, including the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service (SSS), Governor Akeredolu, the Speaker of the Ondo Parliament, the Ondo Chief Judge, and the Assembly members, as respondents.
Judge Nwite further issued an interim injunction prohibiting Governor Akeredolu and his associates from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing, or impeding Mr. Aiyedatiwa in carrying out his duties as the Deputy Governor of Ondo.
This momentous ruling has set the stage for a hearing scheduled for October 9.
In a parallel legal move, Mr. Aiyedatiwa filed another suit, marked AK/348/2023, in the Akure Division of the Ondo High Court, seeking to halt the impeachment proceedings against him until the court resolves the suit filed on Monday.
