Deji Ajare, human rights advocate, has urged Umar Yusuf the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly to start an impeachment proceeding against the state’s Governor Usman Ododo for alleged misconduct and abuse of office
The written correspondence by Ajari was delivered to the speaker through legislative clerk last week.
He adds that this is a treasonable act and interference with the operation of criminal justice system and waste of public funds by using his official convoy to help former troubled governor, Yahaya Bello, evade arrest by law enforcement agents.
From The PUNCH findings yesterday, the incumbent governor flew out his predecessor around 4:20 pm on Wednesday just when EFCC officials were about to pick him at his residence in Abuja over a N80.2bn money laundering case.
After managing to escape from custody, EFCC released a statement declaring him wanted while Nigeria Immigration Service listed him as an absconder. Meanwhile police IG issued directive that all men guarding Bello should be withdrawn.
Ajare also wrote to the legislature requesting them to cooperate with EFCC in order to facilitate availability of all those found culpable for questioning and further investigation.
He said, “Should these claims be proven, this will amount to serious misconduct and would necessitate immediate inquiry and commencement of impeachment proceedings as they may constitute grave breaches of constitutional obligations and other relevant national statutes.”
“Therefore I appeal to Kogi State Assembly leadership to undertake a thorough inquiry into the allegations pursuant to Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution for their truthfulness, holding Governor Usman Ododo responsible if those allegations are true.
“I furthermore advise the Kogi State Legislative Assembly to work hand in hand with federal law enforcement agencies including the EFCC to ensure that accused persons are brought before interrogations leading investigators smooth,” he stated.
He also called on the assembly not hesitate but act fast, pointing out how much people from the state have suffered due alleged “mismanagement.”
The letter added, “I look forward to your prompt attention to this matter as I trust in your dedication to upholding the Constitution and the laws of our land for the betterment of our state and its people.”
However, Mohammed Yabagi, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker told our reporter over the telephone that neither the Clerk nor his boss had received such a correspondence.
Accordingly, Yabagi said there is no credible reason for the parliament to initiate impeachment proceedings or prove that Governor interfered in apprehending Yahaya Bello.
“This issue may be viewed differently by different people. Nevertheless, it has also been established by this House of Assembly that there was no valid ground for removing him as at no time any member witnessed him obstructing law enforcement officers from carrying out their functions. The House therefore supports all constitutionally recognized security agencies and finds no basis for starting an impeachment process.
In order to contextualize this assertion by the executive branch that former governor was not at home in abuja ,there is scant evidence that he violated any constitutional rights of his aides.The assembly has yet not seen such a letter and it is still unknown to the speaker,” he said.
Ismaila Isah, the special advisor on media to Kogi State Governor could not be reached as his telephone was out of service.
Without any doubt, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo has dismissed any claims that Ododo helped Bello to escape from security agencies pursuing him.
“He did not enable the governor leave his house; this is an aspect of EFCC’s false representation to suit themselves. He is not evading anybody but hiding behind a court order protecting his fundamental rights,” he stated.
During a televised debate on Channels TV, Fanwo said that the Governor respects national laws and legal processes.