The Lagos State House of Assembly Thursday constituted an eight-member Adhoc Committee to review the circumstances that led to the impeachment of former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr. Femi Pedro, who was in office from 2003-2007.
This followed an appeal made by the former Deputy Governor in a letter read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru.
The ex-deputy governor urged the House to revisit his impeachment in a compassionate manner.
The Clerk also stated that Pedro attached a copy of his resignation letter, which the Assembly ignored and went ahead with his impeachment.
Pedro appealed to the 8th Assembly to revisit the impeachment sanction levelled against him by the 5th Assembly in 2007.
Pedro was impeached by the Assembly towards the end the tenure of Bola Tinubu administration.
In his contribution, Mr. Rotimi Olowo (APC-Shomolu I), urged the Assembly to reverse the impeachment.
Olowo argued that the tone of the letter showed that the former governor was remorseful of his action while in office.
According to the lawmaker, Pedro is an upright, close friend.
He said the purpose of the impeachment then was not based on fraud or criminal tendencies.
“The purpose of the impeachment is not traceable to fraud or misconduct, probably because of high-handedness or lack of respect for constituted authority.
“Mr. Speaker, I suggest we set up an Ad-hoc Committee to either sustain or revisit the resolution of the 5th Assembly,’’ Olowo said.
Mr. Abiodun Tobun (APC-Epe 1), urged the Assembly to be very careful in its approach to the ex-deputy governor’s prayer.
Tobun said many of them were not present when the impeachment took place.
“We have to look critically at the circumstances surrounding the impeachment process so that we do not err.”
Mr. Moshood Oshun (Lagos Mainland II) reiterated the need to follow due process before taking decision on the plea by the ex-deputy governor.
“We can’t base any submission on an assumption. Though, the tone of the letter is an appeal, yet an ad-hoc committee would have to be set up to look into the issue critically.’’
Speaker of the House, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa (APC-Agege1), subsequently constituted an eight man Ad-hoc Committee headed by the Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade.
Members include: Mr. Desmond Elliot (APC-Surulere I), Mr. Folajimi Mohammed (APC-Ikeja I), Mr. Muyiwa Jimoh (APC-Apapa II), and Mr. Kazeem Alimi (APC-Eti-Osa I).
Others are: Mr. Shokunle Hakeem (PDP- Oshodi-Isolo I), Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu (APC- Eti-Osa II), and Moshood Oshun (APC- Lagos Mainland II).
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