Impeachment: Nine lawmakers beg Ondo CJ

Nine lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly have asked the Ondo Chief Judge, Justice Olarenwaju Akeredolu, to uphold section 188 of the Nigeria Constitution in the ongoing move to impeach Deputy Governor Hon Agboola Ajayi.

The nine lawmakers are those against the impeachment move against Hon Ajayi on grounds that due process was not followed.

They are Iroju Ogundeji, Jamiu Suleiman Maito, Rasheed Elegbeleye, Tomide Akinrinbodo, Samuel Ademola, Favour Semilore Tomomewo, Festus Akingbaso, Adewale Adekunle and Torhukerhijo Success.

In an open letter, the lawmakers said they were notifying the Chief Judge based on plans by the leadership of the House to suspend some of them in order to carry out the impeachment

According to the letter: “We want to state and confirm to your good office that we maintain our stand by dissociating ourselves from the impeachment process.

“We are not in support of the impeachment based on our individual personal conviction.

“We are rest assured that your Lordship will uphold Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) particularly Section 188 (3) (4) (5) – (11).

“It is equally worthy of note that the total membership of Ondo state House of Assembly is 26 in which 2/3 is 18 and this remains the constitutionally required number irrespective of any arbitrary suspension.

“ We are writing to call your attention to the fact that all or some of us who are signatories to this letter may be suspended in order to circumvent the provision of the constitution of Nigeria, which we all swore to uphold and protect, including your honourable Lordship , as this will be contrary to the laws of the land”.