Legality of Agbebaku's Impeachment Questioned in Edo

Following the Edo State House of Assembly's decision to convert former Speaker Agbebaku's resignation into an impeachment, Hon. Paschal Ugbomeh, a former Chief Whip of the Assembly, raised concerns about the constitutionality of this action. Ugbomeh argued that since Agbebaku had resigned and been succeeded, there was no office left to impeach.

He questioned the rationale behind the impeachment, stating, “What are they impeaching him for?” Ugbomeh described the situation as “funny” and urged lawmakers to fulfill their responsibilities. Barrister Aigbonoga also criticized the Assembly's action, noting that the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria does not support retroactively converting a resignation into an impeachment, especially after a successor has taken office.

He referenced Section 92(2)(c) regarding the removal of a Speaker and Section 306 concerning voluntary resignation, asserting that once a resignation is effective, the office becomes vacant, making impeachment impossible.