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Tag: edo assembly

  • Gunmen kill aide to Edo Assembly speaker

    Gunmen kill aide to Edo Assembly speaker

    Gunmen have reportedly killed Samson Omoarebokhae, a Senior Special Assistant to the Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku.

    Mrs Ivy Adodo-Ebojele, the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media disclosed this on Monday in Benin, saying the speaker had sent a condolence message to the family of the slain aide.

    Adodo-Ebojele said Omoarebokhae was killed on Aug. 31 while on his way to Uhumora from Ozalla in Owan West Local Government of the state.

    The media aide said when the speaker got wind of the incident, he immediately dispatched a delegation on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

    Adodo-Ebojele noted that the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Odion Iruobe, who led the delegation, described his death as a great loss to the Assembly, the PDP and the people of Owan West Local Government.

    She said the chief of staff urged the bereaved family to draw strength from God’s promises of not leaving those mourning comfortless.

    According to her, the deceased was one of the trusted aides to the Speaker.

    She said the speaker had assured he would do everything within his power to ensure the killers were arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

    “Though it is a painful situation, we pray to God in His infinite power to give the family a reason to smile again.

    “We pray to God to repose the soul of the deceased and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” she said

    Responding on behalf of the family, Mr Elijah Omoarebokhai, a brother to the deceased, expressed the family’s appreciation to the speaker for sending the delegation to share with them in their period of grief.

  • BREAKING: Drama as Edo Assembly suspends 3 lawmakers over impeachment plot

    BREAKING: Drama as Edo Assembly suspends 3 lawmakers over impeachment plot

    The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday suspended three lawmakers over alleged plot to impeach the Speaker and other Principal Officers.

    The Speaker, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, announced the suspension at resumption of plenary in Benin.

    Agbebaku alleged that Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo11), Bright Iyamu(PDP- Orihonmwon South) and Adeh Isibor (PDP- Esan North East 1) were being used by some external forces to cause chaos and remove the leadership of the House.

    The pronouncement led to rowdy situation at the House as the lawmakers tried to challenge their suspension.

    “Mr Speaker, you don’t have the right to unilaterally suspend any member of the house. You must call for votes. Allow members vote on the matter,” the Speaker was told.

    The Speaker, thereafter adjourned plenary abruptly.

  • Impeachment: Court fixes date to hear Shaibu’s suit against Edo assembly, others

    Impeachment: Court fixes date to hear Shaibu’s suit against Edo assembly, others

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 19 for hearing of a suit filed by the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, against the state house of assembly and others.

    The matter, which was before Justice Inyang Ekwo, was on Friday fixed for hearing after a team of lawyers, including Alex Ejesieme, SAN, showed up to seek a date for the case.

    The suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/405/24, was not listed on the cause list, the lawyers, who said they were for the defence, came to the court.

    Shortly before the judge rose, one of the lawyers told Justice Ekwo that the matter was scheduled to hold on Thursday but due to the public holiday, the court did not sit.

    “So in obedience to court, we came today,” he said.

    But Justice Ekwo, who held that he could not preside over a matter that was not in the file, directed them to liaise with the court registrar for the next adjourned date.

    The matter was consequently fixed for April 19 for hearing.

    NAN reports that in the suit dated March 26 but filed March 27, Shaibu sued the Inspector-General (IG) of Police; State Security Service (SSS) as 1st and 2nd respondents.

    He also joined Hon. Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd.), the Chairman representing himself and members of the Panel of Seven Appointed by the 4th Defendant; the Chief Judge of Edo; and Prof. Theresa Akpoghome as 3rd to 5th respondents.

    Shaibu, in the suit filed by O.A. Gbadamosi, SAN, also listed Mr President Aigbokhian; Mr Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu and the Edo State House of Assembly as 6th to 8th respondents respectively

    In the originating motion on notice, a declaration that the threat and failure of the 3rd to 8th respondents to give him a fair hearing in the impeachment proceedings commenced by the 8th respondent is illegal, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing, pursuant to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    He sought a declaration that the failure of the 8th respondent (assembly) to serve the purported impeachment notice on him personally and on each member of the House of Assembly, in line with Section 188(2) of the 1999 Constitution is a violation of his right to fair hearing.

    He also sought a declaration that the inclusion of the 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th respondents as chairman and members of the seven-member Investigation panel to investigate allegations contained in a purported impeachment notice to the applicant is tainted by a reasonable likelihood of bias and will result in a violation of the applicant’s fundamental right to fair hearing, guaranteed by virtue of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.”

    He sought an order directing the respondents not to take any further steps in violating his fundamental right to fair hearing, guaranteed by virtue of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

    He also sought an order directing the 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th respondents to recuse themselves from sitting as Chairman and members of the 7-Man Investigating Panel appointed by the 3rd respondent, on account of the likelihood of bias on their part against him, among other reliefs.

    Giving seven grounds of argument, Shaibu averred that before now, he had never been confronted with any of such notice or allegations of misconduct or abuse of office or any allegations at all, whether as deputy governor or acting governor.

    He said he had not been served with any letter/notice as required by Section 188(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended and no privilege had been accorded him by the assembly to provide answers to any purported allegations to warrant a process targeted at his removal from office as deputy governor.

    “The 3rd respondent via a letter dated 25th March, 2024 was appointed by the 4th respondent as the chairman of a panel of seven persons to investigate the allegations contained in a purported impeachment notice, which is yet to be personally served on the applicant.

    “The 3rd respondent is a retired judicial officer and community leader from Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo Central Senatorial District, where there is strong clamour against the gubernatorial ambition of the applicant.

    “The 3rd respondent appears to have been given the hatchet job of recommending the removal from office of the applicant, in order to weaken his political ambition of becoming governor of Edo State.

    “The 4th respondent being a protégé of the 3rd respondent, appointed him as chairman of the Investigating Panel, when other persons he offered the same appointment rejected it, because it was a politically motivated job,” he said, among other grounds.

    Shaibu was, on Monday, impeached by the state’s house of assembly after the seven-man panel found him guilty of perjury and leaking of the government’s secrets.

    The retired Justice Omonuwa-led panel, which had its inaugural sitting on April 3 in Benin, ended its sitting on April 5 with Shaibu or his counsel failing to show up.

  • Edo Assembly asks chief judge to set up panel to investigate deputy gov, Shaibu

    Edo Assembly asks chief judge to set up panel to investigate deputy gov, Shaibu

    Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution asking the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the state Deputy Gov. Philip Shaibu.

    The resolution was passed during plenary in Benin.

    The Speaker of the House, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, during plenary, notified the house that the seven days ultimatum granted the deputy governor to respond to the impeachment notice served on him had expired.

    Agbebaku reminded the house that impeachment notice was served on the deputy governor on March 6 but due to his alleged evasion of service, the house ordered a substituted service.

    He said the substituted service was published in the Nigerian Observer and the Vanguard newspapers on March 12, adding that by counting, March 19 made it seven days.

    In his motion, the Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghan, moved that the chief judge be directed to set up seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.

    The motion was seconded by Nicholas Asonsere, (PDP- Ikpoba Okha).

    Aiguobarueghan disclosed that the motion was in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “That the notice served on the deputy governor alleging gross misconduct be sent for investigations.

    “And that the speaker directs the chief judge of the state to set up a seven-man committee to look at the allegations and report its findings to this house as soon as possible,”he said.

    During a vote, 19 out of the 24 member-house voted in support of the motion.

    The Speaker asked the chief judge to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the petition against the deputy governor.

  • Edo Assembly lifts suspension on lawmaker

    Edo Assembly lifts suspension on lawmaker

    The Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday lifted the suspension placed on one of its members, Mr Sunny Ojiezele (PDP- Esan South East).

    The Speaker, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, stated this at Tuesday’s plenary in Benin, directing him to resume plenary on Thursday.

    Ojiezele was suspended on Jan. 29 for allegedly causing disunity among lawmakers.

    Meanwhile, the house has commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki for assenting to the financial autonomy bill for both the state legislature and judiciary passed in December 2023.

    The Speaker said this, adding that the governor had signed the bill into law.

    He added that the law would further deepen the dividends of democracy in the state.

    He also appreciated his colleagues and the staff of the house for their cooperation in achieving the enviable feat.

    Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Maria Edeko(PDP- Esan North-East 11), said the passage of the autonomy bill into law by the governor was a milestone achievement of the 8th assembly.

    Edeko, said the Constitution of Nigeria provided for the separation of power between the three arms of government.

    “Today I am glad and happy that this all important bill has been passed into law because it will help the house achieve its goals in a way that would benefit people.

    “In fact, it is today we got independent in Edo. This means trust, integrity, respect and accountability.

    “Democracy is all about ensuring popular participation and control of the process of government and the legislature and Judiciary are two critical arms of government that can be leverage on for good governance in the state.

    “This is why I am an ardent supporter of gov. Godwin Obaseki because he is building institutions and carrying out reforms in all the sectors,” she said.

    “The governor has expeditiously assented to this bill because he understands the benefits that are bound in it.

    “Now that the bill has been passed, we must put implementation strategy on ground to kick off because the legislative arm, cannot afford to fail.
    “We must work hard to defend democracy. I think that the eight assembly is very lucky because we are well positioned to do the work we were elected to do.”

  • Edo assembly has no rift with Obaseki – Speaker

    Edo assembly has no rift with Obaseki – Speaker

    The Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has said that there is no rift between Gov. Godwin Obaseki and lawmakers contrary to speculations in some quarters.

    Agbebaku said this shortly after inspecting the ongoing renovation work at the Legislative Quarters in Benin.

    Flanked by other lawmakers, he said: “I want to let you know that we are all working in harmony with the governor.

    “The house has no problem with the Governor. He is doing well,” he said.

    Assessing the renovation of the legislative quarters, Agbebaku said that he was satisfied at the pace of work.

    He said that the governor had just paid the second tranche of the contract to the contractor handling the project.

    “Before we came on board, the governor had awarded the contract.

    “This legislative quarters is housing almost 30 blocks of housing units.

    “It was awarded to four contractors and the job is going on smoothly.

    “Before the end of November, members will move into their apartments,” the speaker said.

    He further disclosed that 14 of the cars ordered by the governor for the lawmakers have so far arrived at the Government House.

    “The governor is doing well and he is trying to ensure even distribution of the scarce state resources.

    “The assembly is not the only sector that needs the attention of the governor, there are other areas seeking attention,” Agbebaku said.

    He said that the house commended the governor’s developmental stride in the state.

    He said that the governor was making sure that all the adjoining roads were fixed to decongest the major roads.

    He said that the house had set up an ad hoc committee to monitor all government projects, adding that the lawmakers were satisfied with what they saw on ground.

    “So we are working in harmony with the state government and we can tell you that the governor is doing very well and will finish strongly,” the speaker said.

  • BREAKING: Edo Assembly reverses impeachment of former Speaker

    BREAKING: Edo Assembly reverses impeachment of former Speaker

    The Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday reversed the recent impeachment of the former Speaker, Mr Francis Okiye, and commuted it to resignation.

    The House also reversed the suspension slammed on Okiye, who later joined the lawmakers during the plenary session.

    The reversal of the impeachment followed a motion moved by the Leader of the house, Mr Henry Okhuarobo, and seconded by Mr Emmanuel Okoduwa, representing Esan North East 11.

    Moving the motion, Okhuarobo said the need to reverse the Speaker’s impeachment followed appeals from their constituents.

    Consequently, the motion, which received the overwhelming support of the members, was adopted by the House.

    The Speaker, Marcus Onobun, told newsmen shortly after the plenary session that there was no rift between the House and the executive arm of government.

    In a reaction, the former speaker said he was pleased that the House reversed its decision on him.

    He expressed his readiness to work with the present leadership for the good of his constituency.

    Meanwhile, Okoduwa had been appointed the Chief Whip of the house.

  • BREAKING: Edo Assembly impeaches Speaker, elects another

    BREAKING: Edo Assembly impeaches Speaker, elects another

    The crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly has deepened as the Speaker of the House, Frank Okiye was on Monday impeached.

    The impeachment of the Speaker followed a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Mr. Henry Okhuarobo.

    No reason was however mentioned for his impeachment.

    The motion was seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo I Constituency, Prince Yekini Idaiye.

    Thereafter, the member representing Igueben Constituency, Mr. Ephraim Aluebhosele, moved a motion to nominate a new Speaker.

    The motion was seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo II Constituency, Mr Emmanuel Agbaje.

    The Deputy Speaker, Mr Roland Asoro, who presided over the plenary after the impeachment put the motion to a voice vote where it enjoyed the support of all the members at plenary.

    Mr. Marcus Onobun, the member representing member representing Esan West Constituency was thereafter elected as Speaker.

    Following his election, the new Speaker, Mr Marcus Onobun, thanked members of the House for his election.

    He, thereafter, dissolved all the House standing committees and relieved all the appointees of the House of their appointments.

    The Speaker also constituted a three-man committee to look into financial records of the house under the leadership of the former speaker and also placed the former speaker under three months suspension to allow for a peaceful transition.

  • Alleged Edo Assembly invasion: Court awards N2.5m damages against police

    Alleged Edo Assembly invasion: Court awards N2.5m damages against police

    A Benin High Court on Tuesday awarded N2.52million in damages against the police authorities for detaining in custody seven men as suspects without trial for over two weeks.

    The police had arrested Wilfred Ogbewe, 52, Igbinobono Collins, 26, Salami Osayomore, 25, Odion Osayande, 23, Morgan Uwanboe, 47, Ifeoluwa Oladele, 36, and Agbonrere Festus, 25, over alleged invasion of the House of Assembly premises in Benin on August 6.

    According to the police, the alleged invasion of the assembly by the men was in a manner that caused breach of peace.

    Delivering judgment in the application for Enforcement of Fundamental Human Rights, filed by Mr. Matthias Obayuwana, their counsel, Justice Efe Ikponmwoba held that the arrest and detention of the men was illegal.

    She said the police arrested the claimants on the premises of the Edo House of Assembly on August 6, detained them at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for four days and later transferred them to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    Justice Ikponmwoba said the men were further detained for another two weeks without being arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction.

    She said although the police could arrest a suspect on the grounds of reasonable suspicion of committing an offence, such suspect must be brought before a competent court within the jurisdiction.

    Justice Ikponmwoba said failure to do so amounted to a gross violation of the human rights of the claimants.

    The court observed that the claimants had made statements on the date they were arrested to the effect that they were members of the state vigilance group, who were deployed in the premises of the House of Assembly to protect government’s facilities.

  • Edo Assembly saga: Court stops Police, others from arresting former speaker

    Edo Assembly saga: Court stops Police, others from arresting former speaker

    An Edo High Court in Benin has restrained the Police, the Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies from arresting former Speaker Edo House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto.

    The court’s order is coming on the heels of allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state that the former speaker and others sponsored thugs who recently invaded the state assembly.

    Justice Efe Ikponmwonba on Tuesday granted the order, following an ex-parte application filled by RID Okezie Esq. asking the court to restrain the Police, DSS and NSCDC from arresting or detaining him without the process of law.

    Ikponmwonba said the order would subsist, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice brought before it.

    The judge also granted the application, ordering the police, DSS, NSCDC and other security agencies to suspend all actions, pending the determination of the substantive matter.

    “The respondents by themselves, their agents, servants,privies, workmen and/or assigns are hereby restrained from molesting, harassing or disenfranchising the applicant,” the judge stated.