Achuba's removal as Kogi deputy gov illegal

A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has declared the removal of Simon Achuba as the Deputy Governor of the state as illegal, null and void.

Justice John Olorunfemi, who delivered the judgement, ruled that the Kogi State House of Assembly violated the constitution in the manner it impeached the plaintiff.

Recall that the Assembly impeached Achuba in August 2019 after he fell out with the Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Although he was accused of gross misconduct, a judicial committee set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajanah, cleared him of all charges.

Achuba headed to court to challenge his removal.

On Thursday, the judge held that the impeachment was contrary to Section 188 (8) of the 1999 Constitution, which stopped the Assembly from further action having discovered that Achuba was not found wanting by the committee set up to probe him.

The court also ruled that the subsequent nomination of Edward Onoja as the deputy governor did not follow due process.

Justice Olorunfemi ordered the Kogi State government to pay all the entitlements accruable to the ex-deputy governor.