Ondo Assembly Asks CJ To Constitute Impeachment Panel On Deputy Governor

The Ondo House of Assembly has requested the Chief Judge of the State, Olusegun Odusola, to constitute a panel of enquiry to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

This followed the Deputy Governor’s failure to respond to the letter of gross misconduct served him through his chief protocol officer on September 25.

Recall the House of Assembly had begun impeachment move against Aiyedatiwa last week, serving him with notice containing no fewer than 14 allegations bordering on gross misconduct.

After the letter of gross misconduct was first issued, the Deputy Governor was unavailable to receive it, prompting the House to approach the court for a substituted service of the notice on him.

However, after the substituted service was effected, the House noted that the Deputy Governor still refused to respond.

Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, explained that Section 188 of the Constitution states that the Deputy Governor has 7 days to reply to any allegation levelled against him, failing which the Chief Judge shall at the request of the Speaker appoint a panel to investigate the allegations.

He remarked that upon the conclusion of its investigation and within 3 three months after its inauguration, the panel shall submit its report to the House of Assembly.

Earlier, while moving the motion, the majority leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, noted that the process is in line with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 as amended.

The motion was seconded by the lawmaker representing Akure South State Constituency 1, Johnson Oguntodu.