The Ondo State House of Assembly has suspended its impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa after the Chief Judge of the state, Olusegun Odusola, refused to set up a panel for the exercise.
ENTRUST REPORTERS had earlier reported that the House had earlier vowed to proceed with the process despite an order of the Federal High Court, citing sections of the constitution forbidding the interference of the courts in an impeachment process at a legislative house.
However, in a letter to the Speaker of the Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, dated October 6, 2023, the Chief Judge said he could not comply with the directive because of the order of the Federal High Court issued in Abuja.
The court had granted the order at the request of the deputy governor that the impeachment proceedings be paused until the court has determined his case against the exercise.
The spokesperson of the Assembly, Olatunji Oshati, confirmed on Friday via a telephone interview that the lawmakers will comply with the order and halt further proceedings on the impeachment.
“This is to show that it is not about witch-hunting, it is about carrying out our oversight functions,” Mr Oshati said.
“We have considered the letter which is everywhere in the public domain and we are halting the impeachment process until the order of the Federal High Court is vacated.
“It is not about being arrogant with power, it is about holding public officers accountable.
“It also shows that the process of impeachment transcends the monopoly of the legislature as we can see that the judiciary has stalled it.”
The House of Assembly had on 6 October directed the chief judge to set up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct brought against Mr Aiyedatiwa by nine lawmakers.
The allegations include abuse of office, financial impropriety, and gross misconduct.
The deputy governor has denied the allegations, saying they are politically motivated.
