A human rights lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, says the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is not eligible to contest for the 2023 presidential election.
In an issued statement yesterday, Ajulo said section 137 (1)(i) of the 1999 Constitution prohibits Amaechi from running for office owing to the allegation of N96 billion fraud against him.
Recall that Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, had set up a seven-man panel to probe Amaechi over the alleged withdrawal of N96 billion from the state’s treasury during his tenure as governor. The panel was said to have indicted some persons, including the former governor.
Amaechi then filed a lawsuit against the decision of the panel and the panel itself. The suit went from the High Court to the appeal court and the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court on May 27, dismissed the appeal and ordered Amaechi to pay N1 million to the respondents.
The apex court, however, held that panels of inquiry are not judicial institutions and do not have the powers of a law court to adjudicate over issues or indict. The court described them as ”merely investigative”.
According to Ajulo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be taking a great risk by handing over its presidential ticket to the former minister.
“Though Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has not yet been tried by a law court in respect of the accused fraud and embezzlement, the provision of Section 137 (1) (i) of the 1999 Constitution has already disqualified him.
“The APC party will be taking the risk of handing over power to the next candidate with the highest votes if they put Hon. Rotimi Amaechi forward as their flag bearer and he wins.
“Committing to mind that the presidential race for the election year 2023 has been picked up by all and sundry, other political opponents will very much ecstatic to see APC commit this grave error.
“It is appropriate that the APC party takes all necessary steps to ensure that due diligence is carried out on all the party’s presidential candidates. The future of our great nation Nigeria is in our hands to mould, mend and take to greater heights, and it will be most regretful if this opportunity is lost on avoidable issues”, he stated.
