Mike Ozekhome, constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said on Wednesday that the ex-Adamawa State Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, who was removed by the court, could return to his former office as speaker.
Ozekhome said this while expressing his views on the constitutional implication of the judgment on Fintiri’s fate during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said that by virtue of the judgment, constitutionally speaking, the sacked acting governor automatically reverts to his former position as Adamawa State House of Assembly Speaker.
He said: “The implication of today’s judgment is that there should be an automatic reversal to status quo for Fintiri.
“However, if the House of Assembly members do not want him back, which is their sole discretion, they will have to impeach him first.
“If they decide to retain the incumbent speaker or elect a new one, then Fintiri will become a floor member.”
He applauded Justice Adeniyi Ademola’s judgment, describing it as “salutary and will help to move the Nigerian judiciary forward”.
Ozekhome also welcomed a statement credited to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, calling on the Adamawa State Chief Judge to immediately swear-in Bala Ngilari as governor to avoid a constitutional crisis.
In another reaction to the issue, Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said Fintiri could revert to the position of speaker, subject to his acceptance by members of the parliament.