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.
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.
This comes after 14 of the members of the Assembly served an impeachment notice on the deputy governor whom they accused of gross misconduct.
However, nine of the lawmakers were opposed to the planned impeachment of Mr Ajayi by their colleagues in the Legislative House.
In a statement on Wednesday, Deputy Governor Ajayi asked the chief judge to uphold the integrity of her office and be fair in taking her decisions on the lawmakers’ request.
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 also attached a letter, indicating that the matter of impeachment of the deputy governor was sub judice.
Fourteen of the 26 assembly members, including Speaker Oleyeloogun had signed the impeachment notice served on the deputy governor on Tuesday.
A day later, two members of the House – Iroju Ogundeji (Deputy Speaker) and Adewale Williams – were suspended from the House over what was described as unruly behaviour.
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader of the House, Jamiu Maito, has also resigned his appointment.
The trio of Ogundeji, Williams, and Maito, were part of the nine members who were opposed to the impeachment notice served on the deputy governor.
Others included Rasheed Elegbeleye, Tomide Akinribido, Samuel Ademola, Favour Tomomewo, Festus Akingbaso, and Torhukerhijo Success.
