….As Assembly Withdraws Petition To NJC, Apologizes
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the case filed by Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, following an application for adjournment to allow reconciliation efforts by the APC.
At Thursday’s sitting, Aiyedatiwa’s lawyer informed the court that the APC National Chairman had constituted a reconciliation committee on October 6th to mediate the dispute between parties in the suit.
He argued that continuing the case would undermine settlement efforts. The counsel also drew the court’s attention to a petition against the judge by the state assembly to the NJC.
Although the assembly’s lawyer apologized for the petition and provided an affidavit withdrawing it, Aiyedatiwa’s team insisted the petition should still be served on parties.
In response, the state governor and chief judge’s lawyers challenged the court’s jurisdiction but were advised to file the necessary application.
Justice Emeka Nwite urged lawyers to protect the judiciary’s sanctity before adjourning proceedings to October 16th for ruling and hearing pending applications.
The court had granted an injunction restraining the assembly, governor and chief judge from impeaching Aiyedatiwa, pending the hearing of his motion. The orders remain in force.
Aiyedatiwa approached the court to stop impeachment proceedings against him by the state assembly over alleged gross misconduct. The adjournment allows time for reconciliation moves by the APC leadership.
