The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an injunction halting the impeachment proceedings against Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
The court order restrains the Ondo State House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment of Mr. Aiyedatiwa over allegations of gross misconduct.
In a ruling that was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, the court ordered the legislative house to suspend the impeachment process, pending the hearing and determination of a suit that was brought before it by the embattled deputy governor.
The court has adjourned the matter until October 9 for hearing.
This decision came after an ex-parte application was moved by Aiyedatiwa through his lawyer, Kayode Adewusi.
Among other requests, Aiyedatiwa had pleaded with the court to prevent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, from nominating a new deputy governor.
He also asked that the nomination not be forwarded to the Ondo State House of Assembly for confirmation until the suit is resolved.
The suit, marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, cited the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), Governor Akeredoku, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, and the House of Assembly itself as the 1st to 6th defendants.
Justice Nwite, after hearing the ex-parte motion accompanied by an affidavit of urgency, decided that it was in the interest of justice to issue interim preservative orders. Justice Nwite also issued an order of interim injunction.
This order restrains Governor Akeredolu and his servants or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing or preventing Aiyedatiwa from performing his duties as Deputy Governor of Ondo State. This injunction is in effect until the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.