The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, has rejected the request by the State House of Assembly to set up a panel to investigate the State Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi.
This comes after 14 of the members of the Assembly served an impeachment notice on the deputy governor whom they accused of gross misconduct.
Justice Akeredolu informed the lawmakers of her decision in a letter dated July 9, 2020, and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Bamidele Oleyelogun.
Giving reasons for rejecting the Assembly’s request, Justice Akeredolu predicated her action on the fact that the process required by the 1999 Constitution for setting up such a probe panel had not been completed by the lawmakers.
The Chief Judge said the request violated Section 188 (5)of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“I wish to draw the attention of the Honourable Speaker of the House of Assembly of Ondo State to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
She explained the constitutional requirements as stipulated in Section 188 (1), (2) (a), (b), adding that there was a court proceeding on the matter.
“In view foregoing, the Hon. Members of the House of Assembly have not completed the constitutional process that would lead your very good self to invite my humble self to set up a panel of 7 to investigate allegations of gross misconduct as stipulated in the Constitution.
“Furthermore I wish to bring to your notice the copy of letter which I received earlier today from Kayode Olatoke, SAN which letter tells me clearly that the matter of impeachment of Hon. Alfred Agboola Ajayi, Deputy Governor of Ondo State is sub judice.”
