Court declares impeachment of Kogi ex-Deputy Governor Achuba illegal

The removal of Simon Achuba, former Kogi deputy governor by the State House of Assembly has been declared null and void by a Kogi State High Court.

Justice John Olorunfemi who ruled on the case on Thursday, February 27, described Achuba’s removal as a constitutional coup, hatched and executed in a democracy.

The High Court Judge averred that the nomination of Edward Onoja who replaced Achuba as deputy governor did not follow due process, as the former Deputy Governor’s removal was a clear violation of Section 188 subsection 8 of the constitution.

He held that the section of the constitution stops the assembly from taking further action against the former Deputy Governor after he was not found wanting by the panel. Olurunfemi disclosed that the assembly failed to produce the remaining volumes of the report purported to have indicted the former deputy governor, neither did they file a counter-notice.

Recall that Achuba was impeached in October 2019 by members of the Kogi State House of Assembly, following the submission of a report of the committee set up by the State Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajana to investigate an allegation of gross misconduct against him.