In an effort to counter the ongoing impeachment proceedings against him, Ondo State’s Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has taken legal action by approaching the court to seek an injunction preventing the State House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment process.

Aiyedatiwa’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, filed a Motion on Notice on his behalf at the Ondo State High Court in Akure on Monday.

The motion requests the court’s intervention to halt the impeachment proceedings until Aiyedatiwa’s lawsuit is heard and resolved. Aiyedatiwa’s central argument revolves around a perceived violation of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is seeking a court order to set aside any alleged process or notice of gross misconduct leveled against him.

The impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa was initiated by the State House of Assembly last Wednesday, citing alleged gross misconduct as the reason.

In suit No. AK/348/2023, Aiyedatiwa contends that the House of Assembly lacks the competence to proceed with his impeachment, as it infringes upon his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair hearing. He also claims that the termination of his media aides’ appointments and his placement under the Ministry of Information, overseen by a commissioner, constitute violations of his rights and privileges as the deputy governor.

Aiyedatiwa asserts that the House of Assembly has engaged in media trials against him without providing prior notice of alleged gross misconduct, further alleging that the Assembly has taken on multiple roles, including accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge.

Additionally, he seeks an order to prohibit the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting request from the House of Assembly to establish a panel for investigating alleged acts of gross misconduct attributed to him. The respondents in the suit include the Ondo State Government, the Governor of Ondo State, Ondo State House of Assembly, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Clerk of Ondo State House of Assembly, and Chief Judge of Ondo State.