The impeachment of former Deputy Governor of the state, Hon. Femi Pedro has been invalidated by the Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary, on Thursday.
This resolution followed the adoption of the recommendation of the eight member Ad Hoc Committee constituted on July 2, to review the circumstances that led to impeachment of Pedro.
The House, which passed a vote of confidence on Pedro, said that the allegations of his impeachment were not connected to criminal charges.
The committee, headed by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, in its 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 on him as a fit and proper person that can be entrusted with political and administrative responsibilities.”
36 members of the House were in support of the pardon while only one lawmaker voted against it and another abstained.
It will be recalled that Pedro was impeached towards the end the tenure of Bola Tinubu as Governor for gross misconducts on May 10, 2007.
The ex-deputy governor had urged the House to revisit his impeachment in a letter sent to the 8th Assembly on compassionate ground.
In his contribution, Hon. Rotimi Olowo, the Chairman House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, urged the Assembly to reverse the impeachment for the ex-deputy governor to live a normal life.
Olowo said that Pedro has shown remorse and needed to be forgiven.
He said, ” 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.”
He said the purpose of the impeachment then was not based on fraud or criminal tendencies.
Hon. Segun Olulade, the Chairman, House Committee on Health commended the adhoc committee for the recommendation to revert the impeachment.
Olulade also commended Pedro for withdrawing court cases challenging his removal to allow the Assembly wade into the matter.
According to the lawmaker, Pedro should be forgiven and be allowed to further contribute to the society.
Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (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.”
However, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Hon. Tunde Braimoh urged the House to direct the Executive to invalidate documents against Pedro.
Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said that the House was not absorbing Pedro of the allegation but decided to pardon him for showing remorse.
Obasa said 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.