Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, has rejected the request of the state House of Assembly to constitute a panel to investigate allegations against Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi.
Ondo assembly speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, had in a letter dated July 7 urged the chief judge to constitute a seven-man panel to probe Mr Ajayi.
However, in her response, Akeredolu threw back the request, saying the two-third majority as required by the 1999 constitution for setting up such a probe panel was not formed in the assembly.
The chief judge also said she had received a letter from Ajayi’s lawyers stating that the process of impeachment was sub judice.
Nine state lawmakers had also written to the chief justice, distancing themselves from the impeachment moves.
“It is equally worthy of note that the total membership of Ondo state House of Assembly is 26 in which 2/3 is 18 and this remains the constitutionally required number irrespective of any arbitrary suspension,” the lawmakers said in a letter.
“We are writing to call your attention to the fact that all or some of us who are signatories to this letter may be suspended in order to circumvent the provision of the constitution of Nigeria, which we all swore to uphold and protect, including your honourable Lordship, as this will be contrary to the laws of the land.”
The lawmakers against the impeachment are Iroju Ogundeji, Jamiu Maito, Rasheed Elegbeleye, Tomide Akinribido, Samuel Ademola, Favour Semilore, Festus Akingbaso, Williams Adekunle and Success Torhukerhijo.
