A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Ondo State House of Assembly from impeaching the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for alleged gross misconduct.
Presiding judge, Justice Nwite delivered the ruling on Tuesday, shortly after Aiyedatiwa‘s counsel, Kayode Adewusi, brought the ex-parte motion.
The judge also barred Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from appointing a new deputy governor and submitting it to lawmakers for approval awaiting the outcome of the substantive dispute.
After hearing Adewusi, Justice Nwite concluded that allowing the application would be in the best interests of justice.
The deputy governor requested four reliefs in his motion to the court.
The judge also issued a temporary injunction prohibiting Akeredolu, his servants, or privies from harassing, intimidating, shaming, or hindering Aiyedatiwa from carrying out his duties as state deputy governor.
Justice Nwite, who granted all of the reliefs, delayed the case until October 9 for a hearing.
Mr Aiyedatiwa also asked the High Court in Akure to stay the state house of assembly’s impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in court on Monday.