Can courts poke holes in Senate verdict on Gachagua’s impeachment? Lawyer Steve Ogolla sheds light

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2024

While it has not yet reared its head on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, the judicial system might wield its power when the time comes
There is, however, an argument on this, as some quarters hold that the impeachment ends at the Senate and that the process is immune to any judicial review
But High Court advocate Steve Ogolla strongly avers that the role of the courts cannot be to ruled out of the impeachment; he says the courts have the role of auditing the process to check its alignment with the constitution

Nairobi—Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment could bring the Legislature and Judiciary to a point of clash.

Gachagua’s case is being prosecuted by the two houses of parliament.

The impeachment process intensified on October 8, when 282 MPs voted in favour of the charges against him.

Meanwhile, the deputy president has been filing petition after another to challenge the process.

Legal minds are undecided about whether the courts can alter the outcome of the ouster process upon its conclusion by the upper legislative house.

While some hold that the legislature’s verdict on Gachagua’s impeachment is final, others argue that the court can still wield its power and rule otherwise.

Litigation counsel Steve Ogolla authoritatively avers that the High Court can show up to give directions when there is that need.

While Ogolla appreciates that Gachagua’s impeachment is a preserve of the legislature, he says that upon invitation, the courts can chip in to offer interpretation, which might side with the houses of parliament or not.

He says that the court’s involvement in such matters is limited to auditing the process and reviewing the merits of the impeachment grounds to confirm that both aspects meet the Constitution’s requirements.

“They (courts) ought not to interfere with the outcome of the political process because the power of impeachment is bestowed upon the National Assembly and the Senate; but if the High Court is invited to audit the legality, propriety and constitutionality of the impeachment charges against Gachagua provided they relate to gross violation of the constitution, then the court has jurisdiction to entertain those questions and determine them. So, it is not true that the High Court has no role in the impeachment,” Ogolla told this writer.

Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.

Published

7 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.

The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.

The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.

During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.

Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

Published

22 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.

Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion

Published

1 day ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.