JUDICIAL REIVEW OF GOVERNORS’ LADOJA AND OBI IMPEACHMENT IN NIGERIA ’S FOURTH REPUBLIC

Abstract

Impeachment proceedings in the 1999 constitution are expectedly not subject to judicial intervention, ostensibly not to prolong the process. However, consequent upon this legal immunity, legislative arm that is constitutionally saddled with the responsibility became reckless because of legal preclusion. Without regard to due process, two Governors, Raseed Ladoja and Peter Obi of Oyo and Anambra States were impeached respectively. In spite of legal immunity enjoyed by the legislature in the impeachment proceedings, the two Governors challenged their impeachments in courts and were reinstated. The study that relied on documentary sources concludes that impeachment proceedings are no longer absolutely precluded when due process is sidelined. The work therefore recommends the need to amend Sections 143 (1-11) and 188 (1-11) of the 1999 constitution to strengthen due process in order to avoid frivolous impeachment