ADVERTISEMENT

Ondo Deputy Governor wants 26 lawmakers to be jailed for plotting to impeach him

On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, some members of Ondo State House of Assembly signed the notice of impeachment of the deputy governor.

Agboola Ajayi, Ondo State Deputy Governor recently dumped the APC for the PDP (Saharareporters)

In a suit filed on Friday, July 10, 2020, the deputy governor asked the court to sentence the lawmakers to one-year imprisonment for instituting an impeachment process against him despite his suit filed at the Abuja division of the court challenging the move.

According to ThePunch, Ajayi also asked the court to set aside all actions the lawmakers have taken, including the impeachment notice issued against him on July 7, 2020, since he filed his suit on June 26, 2020.

After Ajayi dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in June, members of the state House of Assembly loyal to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, reportedly started plotting an impeachment process against the deputy governor.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 14 of the lawmakers signed the notice of impeachment of the deputy governor while nine others opposed it.

Meanwhile, Chief Judge of the State, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu has rejected the lawmakers’ request to set up a panel to investigate allegations against the deputy governor.

In a letter addressed to the House Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, the Chief Judge said the request is not in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

The deputy governor has also contended through his lawyers, Dr Joshua Olatoke (SAN) and Babs Akinwumi, that the lawmakers' action of continuing with the impeachment process despite his pending suit amount to contempt of court.

ADVERTISEMENT

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Ajayi stated that “On July 7, 2020, at the sitting of the Ondo State House of Assembly, the alleged contemners issued an impeachment notice against me, despite the pendency of suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/684/2020 and have vowed to continue with the illegality.

“Copies of newspaper reportage of the illegality of issuance of the notice are hereto attached and marked as Exhibit DG4.

“I verily believe that the action/conduct of the alleged contemners is to foist a fait accompli on the court, to render the outcome of suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/684/2020 nugatory and bring the court to disrepute.

He, therefore, asked the court to sentence the lawmakers to prison for a term of 1 (one) year.

The affidavit stated, “An order of this honourable court committing the 1st to 26th alleged contemners (the 26 lawmakers) to prison for a term of 1 (one) year or as the court may otherwise determine for the reason of the criminal contempt committed by the alleged contemner by deliberately plotting and executing plans to impeach the applicant despite the pendency of suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/684/2020 and despite having notice of the said suit.”

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT