The Ogun House of Assembly on Thursday impeached the Deputy Speaker, Mr Dare Kadiri (Ijebu North 1) over gross misconduct.
Kadiri’s impeachment followed the presentation of the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee led by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sherif (Ado Odo Ota 1), on the ‘Petition for his removal from office for gross misconduct.
Mr Abayomi Fasuwa (Ijebu North East) , moved the motion for the adoption of the report seconded by Kemi Oduwole (Ijebu Ode) and supported by 19 other lawmakers at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo (Ifo 1) in Abeokuta.
According to the Sherif , the committee gave all the parties involved ample opportunities to make their presentations with relevant evidences including; documents, phone recordings, CD Rom and printed photographs to establish their facts.
“On the involvement of a lawyer, Kadiri failed to have exploited all internal mechanisms of getting information sought before calling a lawyer.
“To this end, the committee considered that: as the Vice-Chairman of fund management Committee, he has direct access to all the information.
“As the Vice Chairman of the Principal Officers body, he never reported the matter for discussion; as the Vice-Chairman of the House, executive meetings held every plenary day, he never raised the issue for discussion.
“On the petitions submitted by Adebiyi Odugbesan & Co. after listening to both parties, the committee observed that, the matter is neither here nor there.
“The committee is of the opinion that Kadiri, as an honourable member and deputy speaker of the House, should have exhibited some caution.
“However, since the matter is still pending and awaiting further investigation by the Nigeria Police, the committee will not make any pronouncement on the issue”, the report partly stated.
Thereafter, Fasuwa submitted a report endorsed by 19 lawmakers conveying their unanimous confirmation in support of the recommendation of the ad-hoc committee’s report.
They found Kadiri guilty of acts of gross misconduct and therefore endorsed his removal from office as deputy speaker of the assembly.
Clarifying the voting pattern, the speaker explained that the assembly’s Standing Order specified that voice vote shall not be used in determining the removal of principal officer, thus the submission of the endorsement by 19 signatories (lawmaker) who demanded his removal from office.
The names of the 19 lawmakers who endorsed the impeachment of the deputy speaker was read by the Clerk, Mr. Deji Adeyemo.
In a swift reaction, Kadiri said that his impeachment was grossly unconstitutional and illegal.
He said in a statement that he had initiated consultation with his lawyers to fashion out the best possible way to address the infraction.
