Removal of Enugu dep gov senseless —Falana, Sagay

AUGUST 27, 2014 BY ENIOLA AKINKUOTU

Mr. Femi Falana

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has condemned the removal of the Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, describing it as “senseless and childish.”

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said impeaching the deputy governor for running a poultry at his official residence and allegedly refusing to represent the governor on two separate occasions, was hypocritical.

He wondered why the state Governor, Sullivan Chime, was not also impeached when he was accused of illegally detaining his wife for several months.

He said the seven-man panel which was set up by the chief judge at the instance of the state House of Assembly, operated illegally.

He, therefore, urged Onyebuchi to seek redress in court.

Falana said there was a need to revise the laws guiding impeachment as it was too ambiguous, giving politicians the opportunity to manipulate it.

He said, “When the governor was sick last year and travelled out of the country, he did not handover to his deputy even though the law demands that a governor most handover to his deputy if he is incapacitated or absent. Why did the lawmakers not impeach him for that? Why didn’t they impeach him for running a piggery?

“Also, the lawmakers impeached the deputy governor because the governor claimed the deputy refused to represent him at two events. Does the governor have evidence of this? The deputy governor should seek redress in court. Because the impeachment is nonsensical.”

Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Itse Sagay, condemned the removal of Onyebuchi, describing it as unfortunate.

He said, “The impeachment based on poultry and other ridiculous matters is dragging the country down the path of shame which the country has been going through for quite some time because of leaders who act like children. There is a clear evidence of immaturity all over the place. It is obvious that the governor does not want the man again and just decided to look for anything and then came up with the poultry idea which is so ridiculous.

“I understand from the man’s defence that because he was considering contesting as a senator and the governor did not like it, he was removed. This is the level of political intolerance that this country is going through, where people who are in office think that they are the alpha and omega and determine the finality of all things.”

http://www.punchng.com/politics/removal-of-enugu-dep-gov-senseless-falana-sagay/

Enugu govt withdraws impeached dep gov’s vehicles

on August 28, 2014   /   in News 12:56 am   /   Comments

By Tony Edike

ENUGU—Barely 24 hours after Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, was removed from office by the State House of Assembly, heavily armed security operatives stormed his private residence at GRA, Enugu, yesterday, to recover eight vehicles.

Five of the vehicles were those he used as his official convoy, while two others were his official cars from the previous administration.
The car officially allocated to his wife, Nneka Ada Onyebuchi, was also taken away.
His security aides were withdrawn shortly after he was impeached on Tuesday.

Chime and Onyebuchi

One of the personal aides to Onyebuchi, Mr. Onyeka Nnaji, said over 20 security operatives from  Government House, Enugu, led by the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mr. Fidelis Ogarabe, came to the residence to demand for keys to the vehicles.
He said the former deputy governor was not available when the CSO and his men came to the house but “when he was contacted, he directed that we should allow them take the vehicles and that we should not deny them access to the compound because he has nothing to hide.”

According to him, the vehicles removed from Onyebuchi’s residence included one Toyota Land Cruiser Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV; two Toyota Prado SUVs;  two Toyota Hilux Pilot vehicles; two Peugeot 406 cars he used during his tenure as Commissioner for Works under the Chimaroke Nnamani administration and a Nissan Tiena car belonging to Mrs. Onyebuchi.

“We are surprised by what is happening because we have never heard anywhere in this country where the official vehicle of an impeached elected public officer was recovered.
“It is strange and the former deputy governor will speak at the appropriate time,” the aide said on phone yesterday.
Efforts to speak with the ousted deputy governor on the development proved abortive as he did not pick his calls.

Meanwhile, the impeachment of the number two citizen in the state has continued to dominate discussions in public places in Enugu, even as the people are eagerly waiting to know who the governor has nominated to occupy the vacant seat of the deputy governor.
Efforts to speak with officials of the government on the development also proved abortive as those contacted declined comment.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/enugu-govt-withdraws-impeached-dep-govs-vehicles/#sthash.12lWGGbv.XuZB3ZYt.dpuf

Enugu’s chicken impeachment: My story, by Onyebuchi, dep gov

Enugu’s chicken impeachment: 

My story, by Onyebuchi, dep gov

on August 22, 2014   /   in Politics 7:00 am   / 

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

THE seven man panel instituted by the Chief Judge of Enugu State to investigate allegations of misconduct levelled against the deputy governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi concluded its hearing on the issue with testimonies from the accused last Wednesday.

MR. Onyebuchi who had earlier appeared before the panel penultimate Wednesday, however, truncated proceedings when he took ill midway into his testimony on that day.

The impeachment process against Onyebuchi which has so far been dubbed the chicken impeachment on account of the allegation that he, Onyebuchi kept a poultry farm in his official quarters has also ruffled feathers, especially given the claim that it is politically motivated.

The processes against Onyebuchi and allegations that they are masterminded by the governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, have come with shock to many stakeholders, given the claim that the embattled deputy governor had been more than loyal to Chime.

Peak of controversies

At the peak of the controversies over the illness of the governor last year, Mr. Onyebuchi had been urged by some of Chime enemies to move against the governor, but he remained steadfast and was duly commended by the governor over his loyalty when he, the governor returned.

Onyebuchi

Concluding his testimony before the seven man panel headed by Barr. Frankln Uche Oraekeiyi, Onyebuchi averred that his major sin against the governor was his ambition to contest the Enugu East senatorial seat against the alleged intentions of the governor’s chief of staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo. He claimed that it was from that point that their relationship began to sour.

The controversy over the issues against Onyebuchi were compounded by the decision of the investigative panel to sit in secret against the tradition of many previous impeachment panels in the country.

However, Vanguard gathered the testimony of the deputy governor from those who had access to the panel.

On the allegation that he maintained a poultry in his official residence, Onyebuchi alleged that the Government House inhabited by the governor also maintained a poultry and kept other animals for which money was provided for from the annual budget of the state.

“I am familiar with the Agric Unit Government House, Enugu. From the gate of the Government House, you have the office complex by the left, directly facing the gate is a poultry house, to the right from the gate is a cattle ranch, behind the poultry house is a piggery section. I have had something with the Agric Unit in the Government House. As a civil servant working in Government House, I used to buy cow meat, chickens and eggs from the Agric Unit.”

“Between 2012 and 2013 I acted as the Acting Governor of Enugu State. In my capacity as the Acting Governor, I did something in respect of the Agric Unit. A memo was brought to me by the Chief of Staff to the Governor requesting my approval for the sum of N3,000,000 for the purchase of consumables for the Government House poultry and piggery sections and I gave approval as requested.”

“As at today 20/8/2014 there is a poultry house in Government House, Enugu but I am aware that on Tuesday the 5th August 2014 the birds in the poultry house were evacuated between 3pm and 12 midnight in anticipation of a possible visit by the Panel.”

Challenged that he opposed the removal of his birds by agents of the state government through newspaper interviews including comments published by Vanguard on the issue, Onyebuchi said:

Evacuation of the birds

“It is not in doubt that I spoke to the Newspapers. Two journalists came to me at 8:30pm on 27/1/2014 with a copy of the press release. I know Vanguard came and I think Guardian. I don’t know the names of the journalists but they introduced themselves by the Newspapers they represent.”

“I do not know where my birds are now. They were not returned to me. Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory who supervised the evacuation of the birds said that he did not know where the birds were kept.”

REFUSAL TO REPRESENT THE GOVERNOR ON ASSIGNMENTS

“My functions as the Deputy Governor is that I represent the Governor in functions as directed by the Governor. In addition, statutorily, the Deputy Governor is the chairman of the State Boundary Committee. The Governor conveys directives to me in person or through a phone call or a Governor’s manifest which states the function that I am to represent the Governor. In the absence of these two channels I get an invitation letter with the Governor’s minutes directing me to represent him and such letters are sent to me by the director of protocol.”

He subsequently tendered to the panel letters of invitation to the governor with minutes by the governor directing him to represent him at such functions.

“My 1st tenure came to an end on 28 May 2011. The Governor (had) invited me to his lodge and told me that we had worked so well in the preceding four years and that for that reason he has decided to continue with me for the next four years. Thereafter he gave me nomination forms and I thanked him.”

“It has never been the practice that the Governor will issue a directive to me through a third party orally. It has never been my practice to take oral directives from subordinates as to what the Governor wants me to do.”

“There was a situation when the Governor was on vacation specifically in 2012. He instructed me that his Chief of Staff will be telling me what to approve and what not to approve. The Chief of staff is Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo. My official designation within this period was the Acting Governor of Enugu State.”

“The Governor was away for a little less than five months. From Exhibit H3 the Governor was away from 17 September 2012 to 8 February 2013. During this period there was no approval that Mrs. Ifeoma Nwoboido presented to me that I refused to approve.”

“The Governor wrote the House of Assembly that he is back and I have a copy of the letter as it was copied to me.”

“After the Governor came back I received some reactions from those I worked with in the absence of the Governor. Most members of the State Executive Council came to me personally and commended me for the matured and able way I had handled the affairs of the State during the Governor’s absence. A few of them who could not come sent in their commendations in writing.I have a letter from Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Jude Akubuilo.”

On the allegation of failing to represent the governor at the flag off of the construction of the second Niger Bridge, Onyebuchi produced video evidence to show that he was there.

However, on the failure to represent the governor at the South East Governors meeting on July 6, 2014, he said:

“Around 8pm on the night of the 5th of July 2014, the director of protocol, Emeka Asogwa called me on phone and asked me if I would represent the Governor at the meeting of the South East Governors’ Forum scheduled to take place the next day since the Governor was on vacation. I told him that he knew the rules that if the Governor asked me to, that I will do so since I was in town and I was healthy. He said that he thought that the Governor had called me. I told him no that I will attend the meeting if I get the order from the Governor. Emeka Asogwa said that he will get back to me. Around 9:45 pm of the same day, he called me and said that he was at my gate and I asked him to give the gateman the phone and he did and I asked the gateman to allow him in. He came in and told me that he spoke with the Governor and that the Governor asked him to tell me to represent him.”

“I told him that I have tried the Governor’s phone numbers and that they were not available. But since he knew how to reach the Governor, will he please call the Governor so that I will hear from him and also ask him what I will say at the meeting. He said he would not do that at that particular time and I told him that he knew that it was wrong for me to take any action without hearing from the Governor. He agreed with me and left.”

“It was inside this Panel sitting that I heard from Emeka Asogwa that he sent me a manifest. I will say that he did not send me any manifest, that would be the first time since 2007 that there would be a Governor’s manifest when the Governor was on vacation. When the Governor was on vacation in 2012 and 2013, the manifests he prepared read “Acting Governor’s Manifest”. The summary of my submission is that contrary to the allegation in the impeachment notice, there was no explicit directive from the governor asking me to represent him and that he did not tell me that he will pass instruction to me through a third party.”

“On 18 June 2014, the Governor (had) announced at the State Executive Council Meeting that he will be commencing his annual vacation the next day the 19th of June and that he would be travelling outside the country specifically to USA for a Ship Cruise. On 6 July, he had not come back from the vacation.

Call data record

“Mr. Asogwa said that on the 5th of June 2014 that he did not see me but it is not correct. I was in the Panel when Asogwa told the Panel that he did not remember speaking to me on the 5th of July 2014. I did something especially when he said he did not call to know whether I was around. I applied to MTN to supply me the Call Data Record of that day,” Onyebuchi said as he tendered the Call Data Record from MTN.

“Between July 5 and now I have represented the Governor at some occasions. On the 11th of July 2014 I joined the Governor in receiving the Vice President of Nigeria. On the 18th of July, 2014, I represented the Governor at the commissioning of the Power Trading Institute at Oji River with the Minister for Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu.”

Intention to travel

“On the 16th of July, 2014 I went to the Governor’s office to inform him of my intention to travel out of the country for six days and he asked me to give him one reason why he should approve it. I told him that I did not know of any reason but if there is any that I would like to know. He then said that I did not represent him at the South East Governors’ Forum Meeting that took place in Enugu on the 6th of July 2014.”

“I told him that he never instructed me to represent him. He now directed me to resign immediately from my office or he will make my life miserable. I told him that not representing him at that meeting was not enough reason for me to resign.”

“He said yes that there are other reasons. That while he was on vacation in 2012 and 2013 that I suggested to him that his Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo should be removed from office. Another reason he gave was that I was interacting with his enemies. All these took place in the presence of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Intergovernmental Affairs, Rita Mba.”

“I told him “Sir please May I explain”, and he said that if I did not leave his office immediately he would call the security men to carry me out of the Government House. This was after I told him that I noticed hostile attitude from him from the day I informed him of my desire to contest the Senatorial Seat of Enugu East Senatorial Zone. He repeated the threat and I left his office. I have no reason to resign from my office as Deputy Governor of Enugu State.”

Performance  of duties

“I have done nothing to deserve removal. I have for the past seven years and two months carried out all that is assigned to me diligently, efficiently and effectively to the admiration of the Governor and most people in Enugu State. I have not in any way breached my oath of office or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I have displayed obedience even to the point of slavishness or stupidity. I have not in any way been reprimanded by the Governor in the last seven years and two months. I am happy that no serious allegations especially any bothering on financial impropriety, corruption, fraud were levelled against me. I am happy too that no accusation of lack of capacity or incompetence in carrying out my functions was levelled against me. I do not see from the allegations in the Notice of Impeachment where I have committed what would amount to gross misconduct as to warrant or justify my being removed by impeachment.”

“I decided to appear before this Panel and risk being impeached rather than resign because I am convinced that in Nigeria today we can still find men and women who will stand by the side of truth and justice,” he said to the panel of seven that includes four lawyers, one of whom is also a pastor.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/enugus-chicken-impeachment-story-onyebuchi-dep-gov/#sthash.rzuf6tX4.dpuf
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/enugus-chicken-impeachment-story-onyebuchi-dep-gov/

Enugu Dep Gov, Onyebuchi, slumps before Impeachment Panel

Enugu Dep Gov, Onyebuchi, slumps 

before Impeachment Panel

on August 13, 2014   /   

By Tony Edike
Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, slumped at about 11.35 am Wednesday while testifying before the Impeachment Panel probing allegations of misconduct leveled against him by the State House of Assembly.

He was rushed out of the court hall at about 11.38 am by his wife, Mrs. Nneka Ada Onyebuchi, his children and some of his aides present for medical attention.

The Deputy Governor had arrived the court in company of his lawyers Wednesday morning and began his evidence at 9.30 am but three hours five minutes later he reportedly collapsed and his wife and others present rushed forward to rescue him.

One of the defence counsels, Mr. Peter Eze, said the Deputy Governor collapsed five minutes after the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo and the state Attorney General, Mr. Anthony Ani, SAN, came into the court.

Eze said that the Deputy Governor was immediately rushed to the hospital while the proceeding was stood down till 2pm.

Mrs. Nwobodo was accompanied to the court at about 11am by the State Attorney General in response to the summons served on her on Tuesday to appear before the panel.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/impeachment-enugu-dep-gov-onyebuchi-slumps-testifying/#sthash.gX0DpOdK.dpuf
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Why I Deliberately Refuse To Visit Gov. Willy Obiano – Peter Obi

By KayCeeAugust 11, 2014 06:13

The immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, has said he deliberately refused to visit Governor

Willie Obiano since he (Obi) left office because of the promise he made during the hand over ceremony.

Obi promised, during the hand over ceremony, not to mediate in the governance of the state in order to allow Obiano tackle the challenges without distraction.

The former governor spoke during the commissioning of the prayer ground he built at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Awka-Etiti, in memory of the four children of Emmanuel Obiukwu, namely Chioma, Ifeoma, Uche and Chidimma, all killed in the 2011 bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State.

Obi said on the day he handed over government to Obiano, he made it clear that there was no agreement between Obiano and himself and that he deliberately decided not to visit Awka and distract the new governor.

“I speak with him and we meet when it is necessary. I will support him as he works for the interest of the state, and I urge Anambra people to support and pray for him,” Obi said.

Obi, who did the commissioning, took the opportunity to call on Nigerians to continue to support the President in his fight against terrorism. He thanked God for granting the parents of the deceased the fortitude to bear the barbarism visited on them.

On the scholarship the state government promised the remaining children, Obi said Rev Fr. Edeh’s promise of free education for them at Madonna University nullified the promise, stating that he would reach out to the new government on the promise.

Speaking at the event, Archbishop Valerian Okeke prayed to God for the repose of the souls of the four children and thanked the former governor for contributing to the provision of succour to the family.

In his own speech, Emmanuel Obiukwu said what God did to the family through Obi was a living witness that God does wonders in people’s lives through men.

http://obindigbo.com.ng/2014/08/deliberately-refuse-visit-gov-willy-obiano/

Group urges NPAN to take action against ‘mopping’ of newspapers in Enugu

By Emmanuel Uzodinma on August 10, 2014

The Enugu Rescue Group, on Sunday, condemned what it called ‘mopping of newspapers in Enugu State, calling on the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, to take appropriate action.

In a press statement made available to DailyPost in Enugu, the group said it was concerned about the speedy descent of Enugu State into a home of political impunity characterized by assault on transparency and right to information.

The Statement signed by Comrade Martin Okenwa, National Publicity Secretary of the group read in parts, “ERG condemns in totality the decision of the 7-Man Investigate Panel on the Enugu chicken impeachment to bar journalists from covering the proceedings of the ongoing impeachment trial for the benefit of the public.

“ERG is pained that this impunity has persisted despite the protests by the lawyers of the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi and the Nigerian public.

“ERG also condemns in strong terms the long and persistent “mopping” in Enugu State and its environs, of newspapers and magazines that carry reports and articles deemed to be critical of the Governor Sullivan Chime Administration.

“ERG is concerned that both anti-democratic actions are being perpetrated at the behest of the Enugu State Government with public resources.

“ERG considers the constant “mopping” of national dailies as gross violation of the letters and spirit of the Freedom of Information, FOI Act, and especially Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which upholds the right of citizens to “hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference”.

“We further wonder why impeachment proceedings that were broadcast live on televisions in other states such as Nasarawa have become a secret business in Enugu”.

The statement further stated that “The ERG submits that an impeachment investigative panel is not a secret cult and its businesses cannot and should not be run like one. Sunday Onyebuchi holds the people’s mandate and any trial towards taking away such mandate should be open to the electorate.

“ERG unequivocally maintains that journalists are the eyes and ears of the public and should be allowed to do their jobs in line with 1999 Constitution, global best practices, and universal principles of democracy.

“ERG demands, as a matter of emphasis and urgency, that the video coverage of the Panel’s hearing by the electronic media houses should henceforth be allowed to enable the public scrutinize and weigh the decisions of the panel against the testimonies and evidences provided at the hearing. Importantly, such a critical event in the life of Enugu State and our democracy must be preserved unedited for posterity, which is also entitled to its own judgments of our words, actions, and inactions today.

“ERG insists that Nigerians will consider the Panel a kangaroo panel contrived to do the master’s bidding if it fails to stop behaving like a secret cult; thus any “guilty” verdict returned by it against the Deputy Governor will be unacceptable because it is a kangaroo decision marred by political Ebola virus.

“The ERG urge the Newspaper Proprietors of Nigeria and the Newspapers and Magazines Distributors Association of Nigeria to please call their complicit members and agents in Enugu to order. The constant carting away of newspapers and magazines impedes the role of the media as the watchdog of the society. The best way for the Enugu State Government to manage its dwindling political fortunes and growing unpopularity is to desist from doing those things that earn it bad press, not by expending public resources in denying the people access to information

http://dailypost.ng/2014/08/10/group-urges-npan-take-action-mopping-newspapers-enugu/

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ENUGU STATE:The Politics Of Madness

Impeachment Of Enugu State Deputy Governor And The Politics Of Madness By Inibehe Effiong

The continuous and unabated rape of our democracy by an arrogant clique of renegades must be resisted by all.

---

by Inibehe Effiong Aug 05, 2014

The ongoing impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor of Enugu State, Mr Sunday Onyebuchi, by the State House of Assembly, ostensibly on the orders of the governor, Mr Sullivan Chime, is yet another evidence of the madness embedded in our political milieu. It shows that our States Houses of Assembly are under subjugation. It has also exposed the nauseating dirtiness, crass moral destitution, unpardonable senselessness and disgusting slavishness of the members of the Enugu State House of Assembly.

Sunday Onyebuchi Despite growing public outrage against the satanic and immoral move, the House on Thursday, 31 July, 2014 went ahead to direct the State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezurike, to constitute a panel to investigate the baseless allegations they leveled against the deputy governor.

The twin allegations against the deputy governor are not just provocatively trivial but utterly frivolous. Firstly, he is accused of maintaining a poultry farm in his official residence contrary to a resolution of the House prohibiting the maintenance of and operation of commercial livestock and poultry farms within residential neighborhoods in Enugu Metropolis. Secondly, he is accused of defying the governor's directive to represent him at occasions which they claim violates Section 193 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

On the first charge, the deputy governor has replied that he came and met an area in his official residence designated as 'Agricultural Unit', which includes a poultry farm, and whose facilities were installed by the first premier of Eastern Nigeria and that all his predecessors used it and maintained the poultry farm. Interestingly, he alleged that the governor equally operates a much bigger poultry farm within his official residence.

On the second charge, Mr Onyebuchi in his reply to the notice of impeachment had this to say inter alia:

"Let me start by saying that on June 9, 2014, the Governor commenced his 2014 annual vacation. This was made public through various news media. He did not tell me to take any action on his behalf pending his return, and I am not aware that he sent a formal letter to the Enugu State House of Assembly informing the assembly that he was proceeding on vacation. The governor did not tell me to take any action on his behalf pending his return, neither did he tell me that he would pass instructions to me through a third party. I did not receive instructions from him personally, by phone or in writing asking me to represent him at the meeting of the South East Governors Forum that took place in Enugu on July 6, 2014.

“I did not have any reason not to represent him if he had so instructed me to do so. I do not think it is appropriate for a deputy governor to act in the absence of the governor deriving authority from a subordinate or based on press release to the effect that the governor handed over to his deputy.

“When the governor resumed duty after his vacation, I represented him at various occasions even after he had asked me to resign. On Friday July 18, I represented the governor at the inauguration of the Power Training Institute at Oji River with the. Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu. On Monday, July, 21 while my impeachment notice was being signed by the members of the state House of Assembly at Government House Enugu, I was at Udi representing the governor at the inauguration of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Academy at Udi with the then Corp Marshall, Osita Chidoka..."

Now the pertinent question is; has Mr Onyebuchi committed any gross misconduct within the meaning and contemplation of Section 188 (2) & (11) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to warrant his removal by the State House of Assembly? The answer is obviously in the negative.

On the first charge, the House of Assembly is arrogating to itself powers it does not have by seeking to punish the deputy governor for purportedly violating her resolution. Under the present constitutional regime as enshrined in Sections 58 (1) & 100 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) , the legislative powers of both the National and States Assemblies are only exercisable by Acts and Laws passed by the National and States Assemblies respectively.

Putting it differently, it is trite law that except by legislation, neither the National nor a State Assembly can compel or restrain the performance of an action. Resolutions passed by the legislature in Nigeria have only persuasive effects and disobedience of same cannot give rise to legal sanctions.

Therefore, supposing without conceding, that the maintenance of the poultry farm by the deputy governor is wrong, it would not amount to gross misconduct because the resolution of the House is neither binding nor legally enforceable. As such, the House cannot impute or manufacture gross misconduct from such non-compliance with her resolutions.

If indeed the governor is equally maintaining a poultry farm at his official residence as alleged, how come that no impeachment proceedings has been commenced against him? The deputy governor ought in my opinion to be commended for his interest in agriculture. This is rare in a country where politicians are corrupted by crude oil money. Notably, the Code of Conduct for public officers under our Constitution prohibits a public officer from engaging in profit making ventures, except agriculture. So what is the cacophony about?

On the second allegation, the Section 193 (1) of the Constitution which the House claimed Mr. Onyebuchi violated merely enables a governor to delegate responsibility to his deputy and commissioners. It states thus:

"The Governor may in his discretion, assign to the Deputy Governor or any Commissioner of the Government of the State responsibility for any business of the Government of that State, including the administration of any department of Government"

Again, supposing without conceding that the deputy governor had defied the directive of the governor to represent him at occasion(s), that will not amount to an impeachable offence. The reason is simple, under the Constitution ( See. Section 188 (2) (b) ) a governor or deputy governor can ONLY be removed from office for gross misconduct. On the meaning of gross misconduct, Section 188 (11) of the same Constitution provides as follows:

"A GRAVE violation or breach of the provisions of this Constitution or a misconduct of such a nature as amounts in the opinion of the House of Assembly to gross misconduct" (emphasis mine).

It is humbly submitted that the mere refusal or inability of a deputy governor to perform the responsibility of representing the governor at one or few functions CANNOT amount to a grave violation of the Constitution within the meaning and contemplation of Section 188 (11) of the Constitution. Such refusal must be wilful and persistent.

If actually Governor Sullivan Chime did not officially and personally assign his deputy the responsibility of representing him before he proceeded on vacation on June 9, 2014 as stated by Mr. Onyebuchi, then the whole talk about him not representing the governor during that period of vacation is senselessly indefensible. Are there no protocols in government anymore? If someone has to be in the dock over this, it is Chime himself for treating his deputy with disdain.

It has been reported in the media that the governor is rooting for the impeachment of his deputy so that he can replace him with his Chief Of Staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo, and to pave way for the latter's election to the Senate in 2015. Whatever the motive may be, it is insatiable and condemnable.

It is indeed very shameful that the wife-beater and vacation-prone governor of Enugu State who was away from the state for months last year without transmitting a letter to the House of Assembly to enable his deputy assume office as Acting Governor, pending his return, as provided for in the Constitution will now have the effrontery to instigate the removal of the same deputy who despite being undermined, remained loyal and stood-in for him.

Of course, what should we expect from a man who unlawfully imprisoned his wife and turned her into a slave-girl. This is a man that God has been very benevolent to; health wise. A man whose political career has been largely assisted and enhanced by the goodwill of men. What ingratitude, what a disdain for humanity and even God.

It is indeed a very historic but appalling appetite for political witch-hunting that non of the two imbecilic allegations against Mr. Onyebuchi bordered on corruption or financial misconduct. If eventually the deputy governor is impeached, he (Mr. Onyebuchi) should console himself and take it with equanimity because in the final analysis, the God of the just; the God of vengeance will fight for him as no evil ever done by man goes unpunished. Posterity will surely vindicate him.

The continuous and unabated rape of our democracy by an arrogant clique of renegades must be resisted by all. Our political actors should be mindful that if Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi is impeached because of those ungodly and unsubstantiated charges, a dangerous and disastrous precedent would have been set for our nascent democracy.

The battle for a sane society where might is not right is collective. As such, the current apocalyptic proclivities of the Enugu State governor and the rubber-stamped House of Assembly must be resisted by all democratic forces. We must excoriate the prevailing reign of executive rascality and legislative exuberance in Enugu State. Enough is Enough.

Inibehe Effiong is a Human Rights Activist. He can be reached via inibehe.effiong@gmail.com or +2348065142135

 http://saharareporters.com/2014/08/05/impeachment-enugu-state-deputy-governor-and-politics-madness-inibehe-effiong

Enugu: Tension Brewing In Amadim-Olo Community Over dethronement Of Monarch

Amadim-Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, is a tensed community at the moment following the dethronement of their traditional ruler, Igwe Hayford Agana, by Enugu State government for his alleged associating with the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.

The state government withdrew the certificate of recognition awarded to the traditional ruler who had spent over 14 years on the throne when he reportedly declined to return the assets of Enugu West traditional rulers council, a Toyota Bus and sum of One million naira to the new executive of the council as directed by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Pastor Emeka Abugu.

Monarch explains

The monarch had explained that the bus was not the property of Enugu West Traditional rulers council, saying it was given to him in appreciation of his support to the Deputy Senate President.

He also said the one million naira which Ekweremadu gave to him on the day of delivery of the bus for maintenance was equally shared with other traditional rulers.

Dethronement

Not satisfied with the explanation of the royal father, the state government recently dethroned him and went ahead to appoint another traditional ruler who was issued certificate of recognition two weeks ago.

But the development has caused division among members of the community as some condemned in strong terms the dethronement of the monarch, while others commended the government for the action.

‘Government’s action embarrassing’

A native of the community, Chief Clifford Ezeadi, told newsmen that the action of the government was not only embarrassing to the community but “a desecration of the traditional institution.”

He said the community was highly insulted by the withdrawal of the recognition granted the monarch many years ago. He said the entire community had nothing against their ruler to warrant such shabby treatment.

“Amadim-Olo views the action of the state government as highly embarrassing and a desecration of the traditional culture of our people.

The government has no right to dethrone traditional rulers because they were not appointed by the government.  Traditional rulers are appointed by the people of the communities after necessary traditional rites and it is only the people that can say they don’t want their ruler or he can be replaced in the event of death,” he said.

Chief Ezeadi said the community was in support of the decision by the embattled monarch to seek redress in court “as we believe that justice would be done to enable our traditional ruler regain his throne.

http://obindigbo.com.ng/2014/08/enugu-tension-brewing-amadim-olo-community-dethronement-monarch/