The impeached Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Ali
Olanusi, told SaharaReporters correspondent that he is back
to the country, and now “physically fit” after a medical trip to
Germany. Olanusi spoke with SaharaReporters shortly after
arriving the Muritala Mohammed International Airport in
Lagos.
He revealed that he decided to stay long on order from his
doctor, in order to ascertain his “fitness.” He was later
discharged from the hospital to return to Nigeria and resume
his official duty.
The embattled former Deputy Governor, who arrived onboard
an Air France flight from Germany, repeatedly told
SaharaReporters correspondent that “I’m now physically fit.”
“Am now physically fit after the doctor has pronounced me
‘free’ to return back to Nigeria for my official work,” he said.
On his impeachment, Olanusi noted that, though it was
carryout in his absence, he said it was unconstitutional for
lawmakers of the Assembly to rubber stamp the impeachment,
adding that “[due] process was not followed in doing such."
He, however, denied that he fled the State to avoid the
impeachment notice forwarded to his official compound by
Ondo State lawmakers.
The State House of Assembly members alleged that Olanusi
should be impeached over “gross misconduct.”
Olanusi, who promised to speak publicly on his impeachment
very soon, added that the Party would be challenged in a
competent court of law.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo
State has also confirmed that Ali Olanusi is hale and hearty
and would official resumed his duty as a member of Board of
Trustees (BOT).
In a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Omo’ba
Abayomi Adesanya, on Tuesday, in Akure, said Olanusi would
now continue his service to the fatherland.
Adesanya reiterated that the process of impeachment of the
former Deputy Governor “was illegal and an affront to the
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“We want reiterated that Olanusi's Impeachment was illegal,
null and void. It is an affront to the spirit and letters of the
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as
amended.
He added that, "Furthermore, the oath of office administered
on the new Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo by the
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the State,
Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), was illegal, because Attorney-General
has no such constitutional powers to administer an oath for a
Governor or Deputy Governor—powers held only by a Chief
Judge.
"Therefore, this constitutional breaches must be investigated
thoroughly and any erring officer sanctioned adequately", the
statement reads.
On April 27th, Olanusi was impeached by twenty-two of the
twenty-five lawmakers of the State House of Assembly over
7-count-charges of gross misconduct.
