Abuja based lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Ajare, on Friday called on the Kogi State House of Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against Governor Usman Ododo for gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The lawyer in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Hon Umar Yusuf stated that the action of the governor in preventing the EFCC from doing their lawful duty in the failed arrest attempt on former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello amounted t action unbecoming of a public officer.
The action of Governor Ododo attracted reactions from the federal government as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi expressed worry over the action of the governor saying that his conduct was “insufferably disquieting.”
Calling on the House to immediately impeach Ododo, Mr. Ajare in his statement said:
“In the light of the above allegations and the inherent potential breaches of statutory duties imposed by the Constitution and other relevant laws of our country, these actions, if proven true, amount to gross misconduct and warrant immediate investigation and commencement of impeachment proceedings
“I hereby call on the Kogi State House of Assembly under your leadership to initiate a thorough inquiry into these allegations by Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, to ascertain the truth and to hold Governor Usman Ododo accountable if the allegations are found to be true.
“I also urge the Kogi State House of Assembly to cooperate with national law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC, to ensure all individuals involved are available for questioning and to facilitate a smooth investigation.”
“I thank you as I look forward to your urgent attention to this issue. I trust in your commitment to uphold the Constitution and the laws of our land for the betterment of our state and its people.”
The EFCC has declared the former governor wanted, while the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed him on watchlist, just as the Inspector General of Police Olukayode Egbedokun has directed the immediate withdrawal of Police personnel attached to the former governor.