Urging action, human rights lawyer Deji Ajare has called upon Kogi State House of Assembly’s Speaker, Rt. Hon. Umar Yusuf, to commence impeachment proceedings against Governor Usman Ododo. Ajare’s plea was delivered in a letter addressed to the speaker via the House clerk on Friday.
In the letter, Ajare highlighted the governor’s alleged misconduct and abuse of office, specifically citing the use of the governor’s motorcade to facilitate the departure of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. This act, as per Ajare, constituted harboring a fugitive, obstructing justice, and misusing state resources.
Following a reported incident where the Governor escorted his predecessor away following an EFCC operation at Bello’s residence in Abuja, Ajare emphasized the need for the House to collaborate with the EFCC to ensure all individuals involved are accessible for scrutiny and interrogation.
Ajare emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation in line with Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution to ascertain the veracity of the allegations and hold Governor Usman Ododo accountable if found guilty. The lawyer also stressed the importance of the House’s cooperation with law enforcement agencies to facilitate a smooth investigation process.
Expressing concern over the potential implications of the allegations on the state populace, Ajare implored the House to take prompt and resolute action in the interest of good governance and accountability.
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mohammed Yabagi, denied knowledge of receiving such a letter, mentioning no solid grounds for initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor. Yabagi clarified that there was no evidence suggesting the governor obstructed security agencies in their duty to apprehend Yahaya Bello.
Yabagi underscored the House’s support for all constitutionally recognized security agencies and refuted claims necessitating impeachment processes. He further noted that there was no concrete proof of the governor impeding law enforcement’s activities.
Efforts to contact the Special Adviser on Media to the Kogi State Governor, Ismaila Isah, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.