The Ondo House of Assembly has asked the State Chief Judge, Olusegun Odusola, to form a panel of inquiry to probe charges of gross misconduct lodged against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
This followed the Deputy Governor’s refusal to react to the letter of gross misconduct served on him on 25 September through his chief protocol officer.
Recall the House of Assembly began the impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa last week, issuing him with a notice containing 14 allegations touching on gross misconduct.
The Deputy Governor was unavailable to receive the letter of gross misconduct when it was first issued, causing the House to petition the court for substituted delivery of the notice on him.
However, even after the alternative service was implemented, the House observed that the Deputy Governor continued to refuse to react.
Olamide Oladiji, Speaker of the House, noted that Section 188 of the Constitution provides that the Deputy Governor has seven days to respond to any charge levied against him, failing which the Chief Judge will convene a panel to investigate the claims at the Speaker’s request.
He stated that following completion of its investigation and within three months of its establishment, the panel will present its report to the House of Assembly.
Earlier, when moving the resolution, the majority leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, stated that the procedure is in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution as modified in 1999.
Johnson Oguntodu, the member representing Akure South State Constituency 1, seconded the proposal.