The embattled deputy governor of Ondo state, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, who was reported to have been impeached by the state House of Assembly on Monday, April 27, has maintained that he remains the deputy governor of the state as recognized by law.

According to Sahara Reporters, Alhaji Olanusi reacting to the news of his purported impeachment through his lawyer warned that there is a subsisting court order that the status quo‎ be maintained in respect of that office.

His lawyer , Oluwole Kayode, explained that the court order was granted last Thursday, April 23rd, emphasizing that the order in question renders any impeachment proceeding against the deputy governor null and void.

He said: “Another action in respect of the same office and the impeachment process is pending in court and will come up on the 7th of May 2015,” he said, noting that that the hurried nature of the impeachment process is suspect.

“I think public office holders and people who are put in position to defend the constitution must be law abiding,” Mr. Oluwole said.  “In the light of this disobedience to court order and the impunity displayed in the course of the impeachment proceedings, the Deputy Governor is on solid ground.”

Alhaji Ali Olanusi, alongside his boss, Governor Segun Mimiko, had left the Labour Party, on which platform they were elected, for the PDP.

He fell out of favour with his boss after he defected to the All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party, two days before the March 28 presidential election.

According to Premium Times, Olanusi was assaulted by suspected thugs who tried to stop him from entering the Government House last week apparently due to his defection to the APC.