Impeachment: Ondo Assembly, Deputy Governor disagree over receipt of letter of allegation

The Ondo State House of Assembly has stated it has served the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a letter of allegation signalling his impeachment process.

Meanwhile, the embattled Deputy Governo says he has not been served any impeachment notice by the state House of Assembly.

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, while briefing newsmen on Monday in Akure, said Aiyedatiwa was served through a substituted service.

The Ondo State House of Assembly, on Wednesday during plenary session directed the clerk to write the deputy governor on alleged gross misconducts.

According to Oladiji, Since Wednesday Sept. 20, the house had been trying to see how to serve Aiyedatiwa the notice, but was unable to achieve it until it went through the court.

“We got an affidavit from the court through substituted service, so he has been served through his office. It was received by his secretary.

“Although there are people sending me messages to suppress me, I am not under any pressure, except the threats. This is a legislative assignment,” he said.

The speaker also alleged a threat to his life due to fetish objects dropped at the entrance to his official lodge early today.

He called on the people of the state and security agencies to track the perpetrators.

“Very early this morning, when I was about going out, I saw an object in front of my lodge. These threats started since the day we started the impeachment process. I have been receiving strange calls.

“My life has also been under serious threat from unknown people. I want to call on the people of Ondo State and security operatives to track these people down,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa, however, in a statement he personally signed on Monday in Akure and made available to newsmen said; “I find it especially worrying that the spokesman of the House of Assembly would go on national television to speak on such matter without any evidence to show that such letter has been delivered to me.

“More disturbing is the fact that even when he was asked if the letter had been delivered, he gave no coherent answer.

“A sensitive constitutional matter of this nature; impeachment process should not be conducted on the pages of newspapers and television screens.

“In effect, I reiterate that if such letter of allegations of gross misconduct against me exists, I have not seen it and I have not been served.

“I, therefore, urge Mr speaker, The Honourable Chief Judge of Ondo State and members of the public to take note,” he said.

The deputy governor concluded that he was “in the dark regarding any allegation” against him by the state House of Assembly.