By Peter Dada
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji, says the apology tendered by the state’s Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, will not stop the Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment process against him.
According to the Speaker, the apology was a personal business between Aiyedatiwa and his principal.
The Ondo Assembly has been in moves to impeach the deputy governor over gross misconduct allegations.
The impeachment process is believed to be linked to a crack in the relationship between the governor and his deputy.
But Aiyedatiwa last week tendered a public apology to the governor, blaming the crisis between them on the handiwork of political contenders in the state ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in 2024. Aiyedatiwa said he remained loyal to Akeredolu and his administration.
But speaking on Monday, the Assembly Speaker said, “Aiyedatiwa’s apology is about a personal issue between him and Governor Akeredolu. The Assembly will continue with the impeachment process against against the deputy governor.”
The Speaker also said claims that the impeachment process had divided the Assembly were untrue. He said steps had already been taken to unite the lawmakers
Meanwhile, Aiyedatiwa’s lawyer, Mr Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa (SAN), disclosed on Monday that the Federal High Court in Abuja “has adjourned further proceedings till November 17” in the case filed by Aiyedatiwa to stop his impeachment.
According to him, the adjournment came after the court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, took extensive arguments from counsel to the parties on the consequences of the appeal filed by the Ondo State House of Assembly against the pending orders of the court before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
Adegboruwa said, “At the proceedings, the plaintiff informed the court of a new development that took place after the last court proceedings of October 16, 2023, which has an effect on the jurisdiction of the court.
“It was further argued on behalf of the plaintiff that since the reliefs being sought by the House of Assembly in its appeal involves the issue of the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and the status of the orders granted by the court on September 25, 2023, it would be better for the court to respect the authority of the Court of Appeal, since the principles of law forbid that the high court should struggle jurisdiction with the Court of Appeal.”
According to him, in response, all the defence counsel opposed the arguments canvassed by the plaintiff, stating that the record of the appeal of the House of Assembly was filed out of time and the appeal had not been formally entered by the Court of Appeal.
“After taking arguments from all counsel to the parties, the court adjourned the case till November 17, 2023, for ruling,” Adegboruwa stated.
