By Muhammad Mamman
Legal analyst Godspower Egbule has cautioned courts against intervening prematurely in impeachment proceedings, stressing that such actions are clearly defined by the Constitution and must be allowed to run their full legislative and judicial course.
Egbule said impeachment is a political process with strict constitutional safeguards and timelines, adding that early judicial interference risks undermining the separation of powers. According to him, the legislature is constitutionally empowered to initiate and conduct impeachment proceedings, while the courts retain a reviewing role only after due process has been exhausted.
He argued that rushing to court before the completion of legislative procedures amounts to an abuse of judicial process and could destabilise democratic governance. “The Constitution is explicit on how impeachment should be handled. Courts must resist the temptation to step in before the legislature concludes its work,” Egbule said.
The legal expert noted that judicial intervention should be reserved for instances where constitutional provisions have been clearly breached, and only after the impeachment process has reached a definitive stage. He warned that frequent injunctions obtained at preliminary stages could set a dangerous precedent, weakening legislative authority and encouraging political manipulation.
Egbule’s comments come amid recurring legal disputes surrounding impeachment attempts across various levels of government, where courts are often asked to halt proceedings through interim orders.
He urged all arms of government to respect constitutional boundaries, emphasising that democracy thrives when institutions operate within their clearly defined roles and allow due process to prevail.
