Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor of Ondo State, has petitioned a High Court in Akure, the state capital, for an order prohibiting the state house of assembly from proceeding with the impeachment process against him.

The state assembly began the impeachment process against the deputy governor last week on charges of gross misconduct, but Aiyedatiwa has denied any wrongdoing.

The deputy governor is seeking a declaration that the state assembly is incompetent to proceed with his impeachment and that the action violates his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair hearing in suit No. AK/348/2023, which was filed yesterday.

He is asking the court to declare that his office, tenure, status, rights, and privileges are protected, guaranteed, and secured by the Constitution. He is entitled to a fair hearing in determining his civil rights and obligations as deputy governor of Ondo State.

Mr Aiyedatiwa is also seeking court orders to prevent the assembly from initiating, continuing, or proceeding with the process of removing him from office, as well as to prevent the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting or acting on any request from the state assembly to establish any panel to investigate any acts of gross misconduct against him.

On behalf of the deputy governor, human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) filed the suit in the High Court.