Impeachment: Why we withdrew case against deputy governor — Ondo lawmakers

The Ondo State House of Assembly, led by its Speaker, Mr. Olamide Oladiji, yesterday, withdrew an appeal they lodged against the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who faced impeachment threat over his alleged acts of gross misconduct.

The lawmakers, through their team of lawyers, led by Dr. Remi Peter, told the appellate court that their decision to terminate further proceedings in the matter was “in the interest of peace.

“My lords, the parties in this matter have found a political solution to their problems.
“Therefore, on behalf of the Appellants, we are here to withdraw this appeal.
“The instruction to this effect was given to us yesterday and we have filed this morning the notice of withdrawal.

“In the interest of peace, we seek to withdraw this appeal,” counsel for the Appellants added.

His application to withdraw the appeal was not opposed by the lawyer that represented the Deputy Governor, Mr A.A. Adewusi, who confirmed that he was served with all the necessary processes to that effect.

Likewise, all the other Respondents in the matter, including the Department of State Services, DSS, which was represented by Mr I. Awo, said they were not opposed to the peace moves and withdrew the appeal.

Consequently, a three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, accordingly dismissed the appeal.

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Recall that the lawmakers had approached the appellate court to challenge an interim injunction, issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained them from impeaching the deputy governor from office for allegedly engaging in actions they said were tantamount to misconduct.

The lawmakers equally asked the trial Judge, Emeka Nwite, to vacate the order he made against them on September 26, which was based on an exparte application and an affidavit of urgency that was filed before the high court by Aiyedatiwa.