A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday fixed 16th October to rule on the application filed by Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to withdraw the case instituted against the state House of Assembly, and others.
In a motion on notice, Aiyedatiwa sued the Inspector-General of Police; the Department of State Services; the governor of Ondo State; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Ondo State, and the House of Assembly.
He had sought an order of interim injunction restraining Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, his servants, or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing, and preventing him from carrying out the functions of his office as deputy governor of the state.
The court, however, granted his prayers and adjourned the matter till 9th October.
At the proceedings on Monday, the counsel for the deputy governor, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa told the court that the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje set up a reconciliation committee last Thursday to mediate the dispute between some of the parties to the suit.
He added that going ahead with the court proceedings could affect the party’s efforts.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also told the court that the state Assembly wrote a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) on 3rd October 2023, against the presiding judge.
He urged the court to wait for the action of the NJC on the petition before going ahead with the matter.
Responding, counsel for the state governor, Kazeem Gbadamosi, and the Chief Judge, Mutalib Ojo, respectively, urged the court to go ahead with the case, adding that the issue of jurisdiction must first be determined by the court.
In his submission, counsel for the Assembly, Mr. Femi Emodamori said that, on 6th October, his client wrote a letter and affidavit to the NJC, withdrawing the petition.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to 16th October for ruling on the submissions.
