The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kano Branch, has cautioned against the growing trend of politically motivated impeachments and called for constitutional reforms to safeguard democratic principles and the will of the electorate.

In a memorandum submitted by Kano NBA Chairman, Barr Usman Fari to the Constitutional Review Committee at the North-West Zonal public hearing held on Saturday and Sunday in Kano, the association cited the 2014 Supreme Court ruling in Danladi v. Dangiri, stressing that impeachment should not be treated as a routine political tool but must strictly adhere to due process and legal standards.

It warned that the arbitrary removal of elected officials undermines democratic institutions and the rule of law.

“The purpose of impeachment is not to serve partisan interests but to uphold accountability within the bounds of the law,” the NBA stated.

The association also used the memorandum to advocate for broader constitutional amendments aimed at enhancing drug enforcement, tackling financial crimes, and improving human rights protections in Nigeria.

Specifically, the NBA called for an amendment to Section 251(1)(m) of the Constitution, which currently grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal High Court on drug-related matters.

According to the NBA, this limits the ability of state agencies and courts to effectively address drug abuse and trafficking — issues closely tied to insecurity and social decay.

The association recommended the inclusion of State Drug Administration Agencies in the Constitution to empower them to legislate and act independently in addressing drug-related crimes.

On the rising wave of financial crimes, the NBA noted a 43% increase in fraud cases within a year, with 70% of the losses occurring through digital platforms.

It proposed that State Anti-Fraud and Corruption Agencies be given constitutional recognition and authority to investigate and prosecute fraud in partnership with federal bodies such as the EFCC.

“The scale and complexity of fraud, especially at the grassroots, demand localized solutions that only empowered state institutions can provide,” the memo noted.

Regarding human rights, the NBA advocated for expanding the jurisdiction of courts that can hear fundamental rights cases beyond the Federal High Court.

It proposed including all superior courts of record, including the National Industrial Court, Sharia Court of Appeal, and Customary Court of Appeal, to enhance access to justice and reduce the burden on a single court.

It also recommended lifting jurisdictional limitations on the Customary and Sharia Courts of Appeal so they can adjudicate rights and criminal matters within their cultural and legal purviews, especially in communities where customary and Islamic law frameworks are dominant.

The NBA concluded that the proposed amendments would strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework, uphold democratic values, and promote justice, transparency, and accountability across all levels of government.