An Akure High Court in Ondo state has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the embattled deputy governor of the state, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, challenging his impeachment by the state House of Assembly…CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice O. Akintan-Osadebay, in his ruling, declined to exercise jurisdiction to avoid conflicting decisions between the Ondo High Court and the Abuja Federal High Court.
He ruled that it constituted an abuse of the court process to engage in “forum shopping” by filing the same case in both Akure and Abuja High courts.
It should be noted that Aiyedatiwa had approached the court with a suit labeled AK/348/2023, filed on September 25, 2023, in an attempt to prevent the House of Assembly from impeaching him.
The deputy governor sought a declaration that the House of Assembly lacked the competence to proceed with his impeachment, as it violated his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair hearing.
He also argued that the dismissal of his media aides and placing him under the Ministry of Information, headed by a Commissioner, constituted a breach of his rights and privileges as a deputy governor.
Aiyedatiwa additionally requested a declaration that his office, tenure, status, rights, and privileges are safeguarded and guaranteed by the Constitution.
He sought a declaration that, in determining his civil rights and obligations as a Deputy Governor of Ondo State, he is entitled to a fair hearing.
He cited the House of Assembly’s media trials against him without serving him with any notice of gross misconduct as evidence that the House had taken on the roles of accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge.
In light of these claims, Aiyedatiwa sought injunctions to prevent the House of Assembly from initiating, continuing, or proceeding with the process of his removal from office as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
