A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, restrained the Ondo State House of Assembly from impeaching the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged gross misconduct.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling shortly after Aiyedatiwa’s counsel, Kayode Adewusi, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect.
The judge also restrained Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and forward same to the lawmakers for approval pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter, according to NAN report.
Justice Nwite held that after listening to Adewusi, he was of the view that the interest of justice would be met by granting the application and therefore, adjourned the case to October 9 for further hearing.
The embattled deputy governor had, in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, sued the Inspector-General, IGP, of Police and the State Security Services, SSS.
Others are Governor Akeredoku, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Ondo State and the House of Assembly as 1st to 6th respondents respectively.
In the application dated and filed by Adelanke Akinrata on September 21, Aiyedatiwa sought for four reliefs.
The judge further made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu, his servants or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing and preventing Aiyedatiwa in carrying out the functions of his office as deputy governor of Ondo State.
Mr Aiyedatiwa had, also in another suit marked: AK/348/2023 prayed the High Court in Akure to stop the state’s house of assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in the court on Monday.
Recalled that the assembly had on Wednesday, during a plenary session, directed the clerk to write the deputy governor over alleged gross misconduct.
The deputy governor was also accused of abuse of office.
Aiyedatiwa was in charge of the state’s affairs when Akeredolu travelled to Germany on a three-month medical leave.
Four days after his return to Nigeria, Akeredolu sacked the media aides attached to the office of the deputy governor.
The development came amid rumours of a growing rift between Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu.