By Dansu Peter Senate President Godswill Akpabio has received widespread commendation from legal experts following his decision to recuse ...
By Dansu Peter
Legal practitioners say Akpabio’s move demonstrates sound legal judgment and a conscious effort to avoid any conflict of interest that might compromise the integrity of the investigation.
The panel, set up by President Bola Tinubu on April 2, 2025, is chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima and includes representatives nominated by both Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, alongside other senior government officials. Given the gravity of the allegations and the public interest they’ve stirred, the panel’s credibility is seen as crucial.
Reacting to Akpabio’s withdrawal, respected legal analyst and former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, said the Senate President took the right course of action.
“He made the right call,” Unegbu said. “If he had stayed on the panel, it would raise serious concerns about bias. Stepping down is not only a legal necessity but also the morally correct thing to do.”
Also weighing in, Adedotun Otakumaiya, Principal Partner at Deux Loadstar Chambers in Lagos, praised Akpabio’s respect for legal ethics.
“Too often, we get swept away by politics and emotion,” Otakumaiya said. “But this is a clear case where legal principles must take precedence. The law is clear — you cannot be a judge in your own case. Akpabio’s recusal is a textbook example of how the rule of law should operate.”
He added that while political undercurrents are inevitable in such high-stakes matters, Akpabio’s decision stands as a model of how to navigate them responsibly.
“In politics, power plays are common. But in law, objectivity is key. He did what the law — and morality — require,” he stated.
Addressing the influence Akpabio holds as Senate President, Otakumaiya acknowledged that while his position gives him substantial authority, the decision to step aside adds credibility to the process.
“He’s the Senate President, no doubt — that comes with influence. He has a say in how committees are formed and who sits on them. But the fact that he still chose to step away shows leadership and a willingness to let justice take its course,” he added.
As the panel proceeds with its investigation, Akpabio’s decision is being hailed as a critical step toward ensuring fairness and impartiality. For many observers, it sets a precedent for ethical conduct in high office.
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