The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr LuckyAiyedatiwa, has dragged the State Assembly, before a Federal High Court over alleged harassment and planned impeachment against him.
The deputy governor, in a court affidavit filed before Akure High Court with suit number AK/348/2023 on Monday, September 25, 2023 named Assembly as respondent.
He alleged that State Assembly is preventing him from carrying out his duties as the deputy governor of the state by allegedly using impeachment proceedings to distract him.
In the lawsuit, Aiyedatiwa is seeking various declarations and remedies pertaining to the ongoing impeachment proceedings against him by the Ondo State House of Assembly.
Ayedatiwa disclosed that the State House of Assembly lacks the competence to proceed with his impeachment, contending that such proceedings violate his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair hearing.
He stressed that his removal of media aides and their placement under the Ministry of Information, led by a Commissioner, constitutes a breach of his rights and privileges as the Deputy Governor.
The Deputy Governor also seeks a declaration affirming that his office, tenure, status, rights, and privileges are safeguarded by the Constitution.
In addition, Ayedatiwa insisted on his entitlement to a fair hearing in the House of Assembly’s determination of his civil rights and obligations as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa in the suit, also raised concerns about potential bias against him in the impeachment process, citing the House of Assembly’s previous statements and actions, including conducting media trials without providing him prior notice of alleged misconduct.
Mr. Aiyedatiwa is requesting the court to intervene by halting the impeachment proceedings until his claims are thoroughly examined and adjudicated upon, ensuring that his rights and protections under the law are upheld throughout this legal process.
I depose to this affidavit in good faith believing same to be true and in accordance with the Oaths Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Ayedatiwa said.
