Oyo Assembly proceeds with impeachment of Dep. Gov., requests CJ to appoint investigative panel

The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed a motion requesting the State Chief Judge to set up a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, and report back to the House in three months. The lawmakers had served notice of allegations of gross misconduct on the Oyo State Deputy Governor. Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, which was signed by 23 members of the State House of Assembly.

The impeachment motion mandating the Chief Judge of the state to set up a panel was sponsored by the House Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin, together with Akintunde Olajide.

The House on the 17th of June 2022, was notified of a correspondence/petition titled: “Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct Against the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr Rauf Olaniyan”, which was read at plenary by the Speaker.

The petition was signed by 23 members of the House who accused the Deputy Governor of Gross Misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office and insubordination. The allegations were communicated to the deputy governor.

The motion read: “With this development, the House need to invoke the provision specified in Section 188(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

” In accordance with the provision of section 188(4) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to request the Chief Judge of Oyo State to appoint panel of 7persons of unquestionable integrity to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr Rauf Olaniyan; and the panel to report its findings to the House within three months of its appointment.”

The Speaker, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, stated that the matter has been handed over to the State Chief Judge, Justice Muntar Abimbola, for determination.

According to Speaker Ogundoyin, “We have no say whether the State Deputy Governor is guilty or not. The issue will be determined by the seven-member to be constituted by the Chief Judge.
We are only working in line with the constitution. Once the report is submitted within or at the expiration of the three months that’s what we are going to act upon. We are not in a position to judge in this case. We will ensure due process is followed. The vote was unanimous and we shall wait for the outcome of the report and investigation of the panel.”

The House, thereafter, adjourned to July 19, 2022.