By Muhammad Mamman
Legal practitioner Victor Giwa has warned that any impeachment proceedings conducted in violation of constitutional provisions are invalid and likely to be nullified by the courts.
Giwa stated that impeachment is a grave constitutional process that must strictly adhere to the procedures laid down in the 1999 Constitution, stressing that shortcuts or politically motivated deviations render such actions legally unsustainable.
According to him, the constitution clearly outlines the steps required for the removal of an elected public office holder, including proper notice, investigation and fair hearing. Any attempt to bypass these safeguards, he said, amounts to a breach of the rule of law and exposes the process to judicial reversal.
“Impeachment is not a political weapon to be deployed at will. It is a constitutional mechanism governed by strict procedures. Where these procedures are ignored, the entire process becomes null and void,” Giwa said.
He added that Nigerian courts have consistently demonstrated their willingness to strike down impeachments that fail to meet constitutional standards, warning lawmakers to act within the confines of the law to avoid unnecessary legal battles and public embarrassment.
Giwa urged political actors to respect democratic institutions and constitutionalism, noting that adherence to due process is essential for political stability and public trust in governance.
His remarks come amid rising political tensions in parts of the country, where impeachment threats have increasingly been used as tools in power struggles between the executive and legislative arms of government.
