Aiyedatiwa had in another suit marked AK/348/2023 prayed to the High Court in Akure to stop the assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings.
By Jeffrey Agbo
A Federal High Court in Abuja has halted the plan by Ondo State House of Assembly to impeach Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on allegations of gross misconduct.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the ruling on Tuesday following a motion ex-parte moved by Aiyedatiwa’s lawyer, Kayode Adewusi.
The judge also restrained Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and sending same to the lawmakers for approval pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.
Justice Nwite held that after listening to Adewusi, he was of the view that the interest of justice would be met by granting the application.
“Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds,” he said.
The embattled deputy governor had, in a motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, sued the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
READ ALSO:
Ondo lawmakers begin process of impeaching deputy governor
Others are Akeredoku, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Ondo State and the House of Assembly as 1st to 6th respondents respectively.
In the application dated and filed by Adelanke Akinrata on September 21, Aiyedatiwa sought four reliefs.
The judge further made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu, his servants or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing and preventing Aiyedatiwa from carrying out the functions of his office as deputy governor of Ondo State.
Justice Nwite, who granted all the reliefs, adjourned the matter until October 9 for hearing.
Aiyedatiwa had in another suit marked AK/348/2023 prayed to the High Court in Akure to stop the assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in the court on Monday.