The Ondo State House of Assembly has affirmed that deputy governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa failed to respond to a letter of allegation of gross misconduct levelled against him.
This is an indication that the process will continue amidst court’s order.
The speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji made this known at today’s plenary sitting in Akure, saying the impeachment process will continue in line with the 1999 Constitution since the deputy governor failed to respond within seven days stipulated by the law.
The Assembly then directed the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola to immediately set up a seven man panel to investigate the Deputy Governor on the allegations leveled against him.
The Majority leader earlier moved a motion on the notice of motion on the Ondo State impeachment panel procedure rules, 2023 which was seconded by Hon Olajide Johnson (Akure constituency 1/PDP).
Speaking at the plenary session on Tuesday in Akure, Oladiji, said that it was resolved by the assembly that in line with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the deputy governor should be duly served a notice of the said allegations to enable him reply the query as appropriate.
“Concerted efforts were made to serve the Notice on the Deputy Governor who for some time was not available for the service, prompting the House to approach the court for a substituted service of the Notice on the Deputy Governor.
“On 25th of September, 2023 a substituted service of the notice of allegations was made on the Deputy Governor duly signed by more than one-third Honourable Members of the House as required by the Constitution in Section 188 Sub-section 2,” he stated.
According to him, the constitution stipulates that the assembly should wait for seven days for the embattled deputy governor to respond which has lapse.
to this end , the Speaker directed the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola to immediately set up a seven man panel to investigate the Deputy Governor on the allegations leveled against him.
“Distinguished colleagues, Section 188 of the Constitution states further that the Deputy Governor has 7 days within which to reply to the allegations leveled against him.
“The Constitution states further that within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief Judge of the State shall at the request of the speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation(s) has provided in this section.
“Distinguished colleagues, I, therefore, wish to seek your opinion to direct the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon. Justice Olusegun Ayedun Odusola to in line with this section of the constitution set up a seven man panel to investigate the Deputy Governor on the allegations leveled against him,” he said.
The Speaker directed the Clerk, Jaiyeola Benjamin on a head counts where they have 23 members out of 26 at the plenary.
Through a members gave a nod for the CJ to constitute the panel.
Earlier, the Majority Leader, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi,( Owo 1/APC), moved the motion for the Notice on the Ondo State Impeachment Panel Procedure Rules that the panel should be constituted by the Chief Judge of the state.The motion was seconded by Hon Afe Felix (Akoko North West 2)
“In line with the express provision of Section 188 (10) of the Constitution, the Panel shall not entertain or be bound by any court order or decision questioning or interfering with its proceedings.
“The parties to the petition shall have the right to appear in person or through their legal practitioners.
“Upon the conclusion of its investigation and within three months after its inauguration, the Panel shall submit its Report to the House of Assembly in whatever form it considers most efficient and serve a copy of it on the office holder,” Ogunmolasuyi stated.
