Oyo State Chief Judge Munta Abimbola has appointed a seven-member panel to investigate Deputy Governor impeachment.

By Ibekimi Oriamaja

Oyo State Chief Judge Munta Abimbola has appointed a seven-member panel to investigate Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan for alleged impeachable offenses.

He blamed Olaniyan’s lawsuit for the panel’s formation delay.

Abimbola made the clarifications during the formation of the panel on Thursday.

The move came after Oyo lawmakers petitioned the CJ to remove the Deputy Governor from office, according to The Nation.

On Thursday, an Oyo High Court presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola dismissed Olaniyan’s suit challenging the constitutionality of the lawmakers’ procedures.

However, Olaniyan, through his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, filed a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution at the Appeal court less than an hour after the verdict was delivered.

The CJ-appointed investigative panel will be presided over by Chief Kayode Christopher.

The panel also includes Arc. Adebisi Soyombo, Chief Lawal Adekunle Dauda, Princess Olanike Olusegun, Rev Fr. Patrick Ademola, Chief Mrs Wuraola Adepoju (JP), and Alh. Tirimisiyu Akewusola Badmus.

The members of the panel were “found worthy to be men of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house, or political parties, and have been constituted to investigate the allegations against the deputy governor as provided for in section 188(5) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution,” according to a statement issued by the Court’s Information Officer, Mrs Comfort Udoh.

The CJ also stated that the decision on the members was made after consulting with relevant stakeholders such as the Muslim community, Christian community, Justice of Peace (JP), and legal profession, among others.