Amid efforts to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Akingbolu discussed the dispute surrounding the Rivers State House of Assembly and the role of its Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, in an interview with TVC News.
Despite the political nature of impeachment, Akingbolu emphasized that it must be based solely on constitutional law and well-established parliamentary procedure.
In his opinion, the location of legislative power is just as important as who holds it.
Akingbolu emphasized what he called a basic constitutional necessity, adding that you can only impeach someone while in the House of Assembly's premises.
He said that the actual location of legislative sessions is an essential component of the legality and legitimacy of parliamentary acts, not merely a formality.
According to the constitutional lawyer, any attempt to hold impeachment proceedings outside the recognized chambers of the House of Assembly would constitute a grave violation of the constitutional order.
Regardless of the underlying political motives, he asserted that such measures would invariably subject the procedure to legal challenges and raise questions about its legitimacy.
According to Akingbolu, the Constitution envisions the House of Assembly as a unique body with a particular structure, set of regulations, and location.
He claimed that when legislators forsake these well-established norms, they undermine the democratic safeguards designed to safeguard elected officials and the public.
He argued that impeachment under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is a severe constitutional measure with significant implications, and as such, it should be handled with the utmost seriousness.
"Impeachment isn't a lighthearted procedure. It is a constitutional procedure that has to adhere to the spirit and letter of the law," he stated.
He went on to say that adherence to standing orders, constitutional provisions, and institutional continuity are the sources of legislative sittings' authority.
He claimed that sitting outside the House's recognized premises raises concerns about quorum, record keeping, security, and procedural openness.
Akingbolu immediately connected these concerns to the current Rivers State situation, where political divisions have worsened as a result of disputes over the legitimacy of legislative acts.
He warned that disregarding constitutional limits may exacerbate instability and erode public trust in democratic institutions.
The lawyer also discussed the larger topic of legislative independence, pointing out that lawmakers are sometimes tempted to bend or misinterpret constitutional principles in order to serve their current interests during political disputes.
He cautioned, nevertheless, that such shortcuts eventually harm democracy and establish precedents that might be used in the future.
He stressed that courts will probably closely examine impeachment procedures, especially if there are doubts about the location, process, and adherence to constitutional standards.
He said that the entire procedure might be rendered invalid if fundamental constitutional obligations are not met, regardless of how compelling the political argument may seem.
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