Court restrains Oyo Assembly from impeaching Makinde’s deputy

Rauf Olaniyan

Oyo State High Court on Wednesday restrained the House of Assembly from continuing with impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan.

Justice Ladiran Akintola ruled that the lawmakers should maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the application for interlocutory injunction filed by Olaniyan’s counsel, Afolabi Fashanu (SAN).

Justice Akintola adjourned the case until Tuesday, July 5 for the hearing of the respondent’s reply.

Olaniyan filed the suit against the House of Assembly, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, and the clerk over the impeachment action against him by the lawmakers.

The deputy governor recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. The legislature initiated impeachment moves against him two weeks ago.

He is accused of financial recklessness, gross misconduct and insubordination, among other allegations.

Olaniyan will not be Governor Seyi Makinde’s running mate for the 2023 polls.