Impeached Lagos Deputy Governor Pardoned

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has declared that the state Assembly has taken a decision to forgive impeached Deputy Governor of the state, Femi Pedro. He explained that the Assembly arrived at the decision because Pedro had shown remorse. The Speaker further argued that since Pedro was not convicted of any crime by any court of law, the Assembly had decided to pardon him and undo the impeachment served on him in 2007. The pardon came after the adoption of the recommendation of an eight-member Ad Hoc Committee constituted on July 2, 2015 to take a look at the circumstances that resulted into Pedro’s impeachment. It is recalled, that Pedro was deputy governor during the administration of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He was thrown out of office for gross misconduct on May 10, 2007, towards the end of his term. Pedro had, in a letter addressed to the 8th Assembly, prayed the House to revisit his impeachment on compassionate grounds. The State Assembly shortly after putting into consideration the ad-hoc committee report, passed a vote of confidence on Pedro, with an addition that the allegations that culminated in his impeachment has no connection with any criminal charge. Chairman of the committee, and Majority leader of the house, Sanai Agunbiade, in the report said, “In line with Rule 51 (6) of the Business Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the committee recommends that this House should, by a substantive motion, review the impeachment passed on Otunba Femi Pedro on Thursday May 10, 2007 by the 5th Assembly. “Pardon him and pass a vote of confidence in him as a fit and proper person that can be entrusted with political and administrative responsibilities.’’ Proffering argument in the report at plenary, Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Rotimi Olowo, requested that the Assembly reverse the impeachment of Pedro to enable him to live a normal life. Olowo, who further argued that the former deputy governor had shown remorse and required to be forgiven, noted that, “To err is human, to forgive is divine. Pedro has shown much remorse and obedience; let’s pardon him to have his sanity back. Pedro has passed through much psychological trauma.” Adding his voice to the matter, Segun Olulade, Chairman, House Committee on Health, praised Pedro for having the courage to withdraw court cases questioning his impeachment to pave way for the Assembly to prevail on the matter. Olulade said, “Mr. Pedro should be forgiven and allowed to contribute to the society.” Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, representing Mushin I, said: “I am in agreement with the report of the committee; all the allegations against Pedro were not criminal. “The former deputy governor has displayed a lot of maturity and honourable behaviour. His name has to be cleared. He is a man of integrity and we should clear him of the allegations.’’