An Oyo State High Court has refused to grant the prayers of the embattled Deputy Governor of Oyo State,Raufu Olaniyan to halt his impeachment proceedings by the State House of Assembly.
Justice Ladiran Akintola in his ruling held that the originating summons filed by the claimant was purely legislative procedure and not judicial in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Justice Akintola on Thursday, insisted that the House of Assembly has not breached the provisions of the constitution on the removal of a governor or deputy governor.
According to Akintola, the lawmakers substantially complied with the provisions of Section 188 of the Constitution on the removal process.
The court said the lawmakers should continue with the removal process.
The court held that the lawmakers and all the defendants have not erred on the procedures taken.
Olaniyan had been having a running battle with his principal, Governor Seyi Makinde over the years.
All efforts to reconcile the duo failed as the governor eventually announced a new running mate for his re-election in 2023.
However Olaniyan responded to the governor’s bare face humiliation by also announced his exit from the ruling People’s Democratic Party(PDP) and pitted tent with the opposition All Progressives Congress(APC).Though many of the embattled Deputy Governors aides who were appointed by the governor had refused to follow Olaniyan to APC.
The Oyo State House of Assembly thereafter commenced impeachment against Olaniyan with allegations of gross misconducts.
Olaniyan later approached the court to stop the lawmakers from impeaching him.