JURIST - Paper Chase: Nigeria high court allows impeachment process to continue

[JURIST] Nigeria's High Court in Abuja declined to stop impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan [JURIST news archive] on Friday. This means the Nigerian House of Representatives' impeachment proceedings for non-implementation of the nation's budget will be allowed to continue according to Nigeria's Constitution. In bringing the lawsuit, National Chairman of the African Liberation Party [party website], Dr. Emmanuel Okereke, argued [This Day report] that it is unconstitutional to begin an impeachment proceeding for failing to implement the entire 2012 budget before the fiscal year is over. The court, however, declined his request for an injunction, claiming to be exercising judicial caution. Defendants include Speaker of the House of Representatives, the House of Representatives, the National Assembly, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Jonathan, but the court noted [Vanguard report] the Senate was not party to the case, making the action less urgent.

There have been several impeachment proceedings against leaders initiated around the world in the past several months. Earlier this month Myanmar Constitutional Court justices resigned [JURIST report] following an impeachment vote. In July, a Romanian court approved the suspension [JURIST report] of their president. In June Paraguay impeached its president following his trial [JURIST report].