By Becky Usman

After the interim injunction of the Federal High Court in Abuja expired, the Ondo State House of Assembly has restarted the process to impeach the Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Ayedatiwa.

The assembly has requested the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola, to form a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct brought against the embattled Deputy Governor.

In a letter dated October 23, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji informed the Chief Judge that the interim injunction of the federal high court in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023 had expired by operation of the law.

Previously, the lawmakers had called on the Chief Judge on October 3 to institute a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations against Ayedatiwa. However, the Chief Judge had refrained from taking action due to the injunction issued by the Abuja federal high court, which prohibited any proceedings or determinations by the House of Assembly or the Panel.

In the recent letter, the Speaker of the House urged the Chief Judge to form the panel without any further delay, as the interim injunction had lapsed. The letter explained that the order had become extinguished by the operation of the law, as it had exceeded the specified timeframe for the application to vary or discharge an order ex parte.

The Ondo State House of Assembly, therefore, called on the Chief Judge to fulfill the constitutional obligation set forth in Section 188 (5) of the Constitution by setting up the seven-man panel promptly.