Impeachment Of Aribisogan As Ekiti Speaker A Charade, Reckless Illegality –Senior Lawyer, Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) says the impeachment of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Gboyega Aribisogan is an illegality.

He also described it as reckless and a charade.

Arigbosan spent six days in office before he was replaced by Olubunmi Adelugba, a lawmaker representing Emure constituency, who had lost to Aribisogan during the previous election for Speaker of the House of Assembly.

In the days leading to his impeachment, Aribisogan alleged that there was a plot by Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past governor of the state, to remove him.

SaharaReporters reported how Fayemi plotted against Aribisogan, who was the candidate of the state governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji.

Speaking on the Channels Television programme, Sunday Politics, Falana said Aribisogan’s impeachment is unconstitutional. He said it is unfair and insensitive.

He said, “For us, it’s one impunity that’s too many, that House had on two previous occasions engaged in such a charade whereby the leadership or speakers were removed illegally. On one occasion, the court warned the House from engaging in such constitutional aberration. In this case, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan was removed in Ekiti while he was in Abuja, no charges, no allegations were brought against him.

“He was not given the right of fair hearing. Ditto for the six other members who have been suspended. Under the rules of the House, you can’t impeach a Speaker unless you have a two-thirds majority of the members.

“The House of Assembly was locked up by the commissioner of police on the instruction of someone in that state, not the governor. These guys decided to abuse us, I mean we the lawyers. This guy was so irresponsible, that he forgot that he was no more in power that he used the logo of the state to abuse the citizens of the state.

“We are taking it up so that it will be an end to such reckless illegality.”