Assembly men’s action a display of ignorance and rascality – Lawyers Reactions trailed the decision of the seven- man panel set up by the chief judge of Nasarawa State to investigate allegations of corruption against Governor Umar Al- Makura. The panel dismissed all the allegations raised against the governor by the members of the State House of Assembly. Prominent lawyers in the country said the lawmakers in the state have no choice except to accept the report of the panel. Professor Awa Kalu, SAN, in his reaction said that since the panel has deliberated on the allegation, the lawmakers in the state have no other choice than to accept the verdict. According to him, the lawmakers ceased to have a say in the impeachment proceedings once they submitted their allegations against the governor and a panel was constituted. “The lawmakers are only to raise allegations against the governor. They have no business in how the panel that will investigate the allegation is constituted. Once findings are made, they have no choice than to accept the report. As far as I am concerned, their hands are tied. Lagos lawyer Mr Femi Falana, SAN, shared the same view with Professor Kalu. He said section 188(8) of the 1999 Constitution is clear on impeachment proceedings: once the allegations are dismissed, the lawmakers can do nothing about it. Mr Festus Keyamo described the action of the Assembly members in the state as a complete display of ignorance and rascality. According to him, what Nigerians witnessed in Nasarawa State as it relates to the impeachment proceedings is a complete display of separation of power. “By saying that they are not going to accept the report, the lawmakers have displayed absolute ignorance and rascality. They should stop embarrassing themselves and Nigerians,” Keyamo said.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 16:54:40 +0000