Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, invokes a court order to request the Chief Judge to halt removal proceedings against him.
Ondo State, October 5, 2023 – Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has taken legal action to prevent the state House of Assembly from proceeding with efforts to remove him from office. He has written to the Chief Judge of the state, Ayedun Odusola, reminding him of a standing court order that prohibits the House from engaging in such proceedings.
Aiyedatiwa, through his lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), expressed his strong request to the Chief Judge to disregard any legal processes, letters, or applications aimed at establishing a panel for his removal from office. The letter, dated October 5, 2023, addressed to the Ondo State Chief Judge, emphasized the importance of respecting due process and court authority.
“In line with the valid and subsisting order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and in the best traditions of due regard for due process of law and respect for the authority of the court, we humbly urge My Lord to disregard any motion, letter, application, or request from the Ondo State House of Assembly for the constitution of any panel of investigation in respect of the deputy governor until the two pending cases are fully decided by the various courts with jurisdiction over them,” the letter read in part.
Aiyedatiwa also pointed out that the House of Assembly had acknowledged the jurisdiction of the court through its actions. He cited the assembly’s filing of documents in Suit No. AK/348/2023, currently before the High Court in Akure, and its submission of a complaint to the National Judicial Council in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1249/2023, pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja. These actions, according to the deputy governor, demonstrate the assembly’s awareness of the court’s authority regarding the removal proceedings against him.
This legal maneuver is seen as Aiyedatiwa’s effort to protect his position and challenge the House of Assembly’s actions while seeking a fair resolution through the court system.