Impeachment: Ondo Assembly Orders CJ to Constitute Panel

The Ondo State House of Assembly has directed the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola, to set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against the state’s Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The House had earlier written a letter of allegation to the embattled deputy governor, alleging him of committing gross misconduct while in office as the acting governor, during which the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, was on a medical vacation in Germany.

The House gave the directive on Monday evening during its plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mr. Olamide Oladiji.

Moving the motion to constitute the panel, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said the directive was in line with the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

The motion was seconded by the lawmaker representing Ifedore Constituency, Tope Komolafe.

Ogunmolasuyi said: “In line with the Nigeria Constitution, Section 188 subsection 4-5, the Chief Judge of the state shall as requested by the House of Assembly, appoint a panel of seven persons who are of unquestionable character and integrity, to investigate the allegation as regarded by the section.”

In his remark, the speaker said it was imperative to investigate any matter of allegation in line with the constitution, adding that the House would continue to follow due process in its operations.

Oladiji directed the state’s CJ to set up a 7-man panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation against the deputy governor and report to the House.

“The deputy governor is hereby given seven days to respond to the letter written to him by this honourable House,” the speaker stated.