JUSTICE Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday (Monday 16th October 2023) turned down a bid by the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa for an indefinite adjournment of his case challenging the impeachment process initiated by the state House of Assembly.
Justice Nwite dismissed Mr Aiyedatiwa’s application for indefinite adjournment of the suit, pending the outcome of the intervention in the crisis by the peace committee set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reconcile him and his principal, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
The court fixed 30 October to hear all pending applications by parties in the case.
Counsel to Mr Aiyedatiwa, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), had urged the court to suspend proceedings in the case indefinitely, pending when the National Judicial Council (NJC) would dispenses with a petition written against Justice Nwite by the Ondo State House of Assembly.
However, Justice Nwite, in his ruling, held that it was in the interest of justice for the court to hear the suit.
The judge added that it was improper to grant indefinite adjournment because there are other political parties, whose members are in the House of Assembly.
He noted that lawyers to the defendants have also indicated that they were not interested in the reconciliatory effort.
Following the ruling, the court heard from lawyers to parties on how they would proffer the court to proceed.
After listening to the lawyers’ different suggestions, Justice Nwite ruled that he will hear all pending applications on October 30.
He said the court will hear the notice of preliminary objection filed by Akeredolu and the counter-affidavit filed by Aiyedatiwa.
The judge also agreed to hear, on the next day, an application filed by the House of Assembly and its Speaker challenging the jurisdiction of the court, along with a motion for a stay of the execution of the interim orders made by the court on 26 September, stopping further impeachment action against Aiyedatiwa.
Eighteen-Eleven Media