Court Sets October 10th For Ruling In Aiyedatiwa’s Impeachment Lawsuit....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

An Ondo State High Court situated in Akure has scheduled October 10th as the date for delivering a ruling concerning two applications within the lawsuit initiated by the state’s deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. These applications were jointly filed by Aiyedatiwa and the Ondo State House of Assembly.

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Aiyedatiwa’s application seeks permission from the court to amend the Originating Summons by removing Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s name and modifying the reliefs requested in the Originating Summons. In support of this application, Aiyedatiwa argued that amending the Originating Summons is necessary to present the actual issues in dispute before the court.

On the other hand, the Ondo House of Assembly, in its motion, challenges the competence of the main lawsuit, citing section 188(10) of the Nigerian Constitution. They argue that this section excludes the court’s jurisdiction and that the lawsuit is premature since the Assembly has not completed the impeachment proceedings, especially when there is no request to the Chief Judge to appoint an investigative panel.

The Assembly also contends that the lawsuit constitutes an abuse of court processes, pointing out that a similar suit has been filed in Abuja by the deputy governor.

In response, counsel to the Deputy Governor, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, argued that the Assembly’s application amounts to a demurrer in law, as they should have filed their defense first and then raised their preliminary objections within their defense. He emphasized that the court cannot consider an application for an amendment alongside a preliminary objection, as the objection should be based on the substantive suit before it is amended.

Adegboruwa noted that the Assembly did not provide any evidence to demonstrate compliance with the procedure for removing an official from office. He also argued that the case filed in Abuja involves different parties and seeks different remedies.

Following arguments from all parties’ counsel, Justice Akintan-Osadebay, the presiding Judge, adjourned further proceedings to October 10, 2023, for the ruling.