By Milcah Tanimu

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, has scheduled February 8 for the hearing of an appeal filed by the former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Rauf Olaniyan, challenging his impeachment by the House of Assembly.

The first and second respondents in the appeal are the Oyo State House of Assembly and Clerk, with the Chief Justice of Oyo State, the Attorney-General, and Kayode Christopher as the third to fifth respondents.

The appeal panel, chaired by Justice Yargata Nimpa, fixed the date for the hearing after granting the application for an extension of time for the brief of argument filed by the counsel to the first and second respondents, Mr. Samuel Oyadoyin.

The panel also approved the motion of the appellant’s counsel, Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, to deem the appellant’s reply brief of November 23, 2023, as properly filed before the court.

Before granting the application and motion, the panel sought the opinion of the counsel to the third and fifth respondents, Mr. O.A. Ogunniran, Director of Litigation in the state Ministry of Justice, who stated that he had no objections.

The former deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan, was impeached by the assembly over allegations of financial recklessness, misconduct, and insubordination. Justice Bayo Taiwo of Oyo State High Court had earlier upheld the impeachment, declaring it constitutional. Dissatisfied with the judgment, Olaniyan has approached the appellate court seeking to set it aside, citing non-compliance with constitutional provisions and lack of fair hearing.