Abstract

This project report centres on Appraisal of impeachment process under the 1999

Constitution of Nigeria. It x-rays basically the Legislatures excessive and negative

use of impeachment process provided in the 1999 Constitution against the

Executive arm of government, particularly, State Governors and their Deputies.

This anomaly forms the foundation upon which the statement of the research

problem of this work is anchored.

This research highlights in details the procedure for impeachment, the historical

development of impeachment, the meaning of gross misconduct which is the main

ground for carrying out impeachment proceedings. The roles of courts and other

institutions are also discussed.

The research reveals through case laws how our legislators abused the

impeachment process in order to achieve their selfish interests while relying on the

erroneous impression that their actions cannot be questioned in court. The courts

however rose to the occasion and checkmated their excesses leading to upturning

almost all the cases filed by the impeached persons. The courts defined the true

import and intent of Sections 143(10) and 188(10) of the 1999 Constitution of

Nigeria which oust the jurisdiction of court from entertaining cases emanating

from impeachment proceedings.

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In this appraisal the researcher relies on doctrinal and empirical research methods.

To this extent, questionnaires and oral interviews were employed, analysed and

arrived at mind-blowing results.

In conclusion, it is revealed among other things that the impeachment process has

done more harm than good in the political development of Nigeria and that the

Constitution requires an amendment to correct the anomalies inherent therein. It is

recommended inter alia that constitutional courts should be established to try

impeachment cases with dispatch.

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