President Bola Tinubu has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit seeking his removal from office due to alleged incompetence in handling the nationwide #Hunger protests from August 1-10, 2024.
The lawsuit, filed by lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje, claims that President Tinubu’s actions during the protests amounted to “gross misconduct that warrants impeachment.” Ogungbeje argued that Section 143 of the Nigerian Constitution empowers the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings.
However, President Tinubu’s legal team, led by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), countered that Ogungbeje’s suit lacks merit and jurisdiction. They argued that Ogungbeje failed to show how his fundamental rights were violated by the President’s actions and provided no evidence of illegalities in the management of the protests.
In a joint preliminary objection, President Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) urged the court to strike out the suit. The AGF’s counter-affidavit stated that President Tinubu has consistently upheld democratic principles, including allowing peaceful protests, and has taken steps to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights.
According to the affidavit, “there was no breach of the President’s oath of office, and the claim of impeachment is without foundation.”
At the Monday hearing, Ogungbeje’s lawyer, Stanley Okonmah, requested an adjournment to properly address the defendants’ objections. The request was granted by Justice James Omotosho, who scheduled the next hearing for March 4, 2025.
