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."
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.