Ondo State Deputy Governor’s Impeachment, A Joke

Alhaji Ali Olanusi has described his removal by the Ondo State House of Assembly as deputy governor as a huge joke. He spoke through his lawyer, Oluwole Kayode, hours after the Commissioner for Agriculture, Lasisi Oluboyo, was sworn in as the state’s new deputy governor.

Olanusi’s travails began a month ago when he dumped the PDP for the APC. In condemning his impeachment, he reminded the lawmakers of an April 23 court order that the status quo be maintained in respect of his office.

He said, “Another action in respect of the same office and the impeachment process is pending in court and will come up on May 7, 2015. 

“I think public office holders and people who are put in positions to defend the Nigerian constitution must be law abiding. 

“In the light of this disobedience to a court order and the impunity displayed in the course of the impeachment proceedings, the deputy governor is on solid ground. The action is illegal and a juge joke.”

Olanusi’s impeachment followed the submission on Monday of a report by the seven-man panel constituted by Chief Judge Olasehinde Kumuyi.

After considering the report on Monday, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, moved the motion for the impeachment of the deputy governor.

Akinsoyinu based his motion on the report which indicted Olanusi of the allegations of gross misconduct that was leveled against him by the assembly.

The process for the illegal impeachment of the deputy governor lasted barely a week with the service of the impeachment notice on him. The case comes on in court on May 7.