By: Edhebru Joshua
I have been seeing all over social media that Trump has been removed, and even some Nigeria news interchanging the word IMPEACHED with REMOVAL. And this is because they are copying the authors of the Nigerian constitution who don’t seem to know what “IMPEACHMENT” really means.
However, i will like to state it clear, “IMPEACHMENT” does not mean “REMOVAL” from office. We should all note that he is still the President, impeachment cannot make his office as the president become vacant.
MEANING OF IMPEACHMENT;
The action of calling into question the integrity or validity of something. Or a charge of treason or another crime against the state. or a charge of misconduct made against the holder of a public office.
After taking a critical look at the various above definitions, you will agree with me that Impeachment does not mean removal from office. Impeachment only means he has been charged with an offense or misdemeanor committed while in office.
Therefore the next procedure after impeachment is trial and then removal or acquittal. In the United States, only the Senate has the power to try and remove or acquit a president who has been impeached (by the House of Representatives).
We all are only misunderstanding the whole issue because of the way the word Impeached was used in our constitution. The word Impeachment appeared in only two passage of our constitution, and it was used as if it meant removal. Section 146 (3) (a) of the constitution says, “where the office of vice president becomes vacant – by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or removal in accordance with section 143 or 144 of this Constitution….” Also, in Section 191 (3) (a) of the constitution (you can check it out).
In this case he has only been accused of an offense, and a mere accusation does not mean conviction. To convict an accuse person you have to try him/her first. And conviction is not the only possible outcome of a trial. An accused (or impeached) person can be acquitted after trial, as was the case for the two US presidents that were impeached.
And i will also like us to just have it at the back of our minds that the chances of him being Removed from office is very slim. Because, Republicans controls d Senate why democrats controls the rep. The impeachment only put a dent on his image
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