Ebonyi Assembly suspends lawmaker indefinitely over gross misconduct

 

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has suspended indefinitely, the member representing Ebonyi North West Constituency, Hon. Victor Umoke Aleke, on grounds of gross misconduct and actions that undermine the peace and integrity of the House.

Under a matter of urgent public importance raised by the Leader of the House – Hon. Victor Uzoma Chukwu at plenary Friday, Hon. Aleke was suspended due to indictment by the report of the 7-man ad-hoc committee set up by the House in January, to investigate the declining nature of the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The House Committee which was chaired by Hon. Christian Usulor (Ezza South), indicted Hon. Aleke (who was also a member of the committee) to have connived with the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area – Hon. Barr. Clement Omekannaya Odah in subverting the efforts of the committee, in their investigation of revenue contracts by Hon. Odah.

He said: “Hon. Aleke used his position to connive with someone who has grossly abused his office – Hon. Clement Odah, Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area. Hon. Odah is a man who uses his office to coin undue favour to himself.

“Mr Speaker, it was found out that Odah was using his office to influence contracts and collections to himself, and afterwards, refuse to remit same to the State’s coffers. The chairman and members put in all necessary efforts to see to the success of the committee, but all efforts to ensure justice was done, would always be frustrated or made to suffer setbacks. Unknowingly to us, Aleke was the mole amongst us.” –

The leader went on to describe Hon. Aleke’s behaviour as lacking in integrity and representing everything not honourable. It was on this ground that he moved motions, in line with the committee’s report, that Hon. Odah be suspended as a Local Government chairman on the grounds of abuse of office and Hon. Victor Aleke be suspended from the House indefinitely until the issues are sorted out.

The motions were seconded by Hon. Chinedu Awoh of Ohaukwu North constituency.

The Honourable Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly – Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru upheld the motion to suspend Hon. Aleke, and reserved the ruling on the motion for Hon. Odah’s suspension for another day.

Recall that at plenary Thursday, January 16, 2020, the House set up a 7-man ad-hoc Committee to investigate the IGR issues in the State. Chairman and members of the committee included: Hon. Christian Usulor (Chairman), Hon. Victor Uzoma Chukwu, Hon. Victor Aleke, Hon. Chinedu Awoh, Hon. Chukwuma Igwe, Hon. Chinwe Lilian Nwachukwu and Hon. Chidi Ejem.

Earlier, the House held a valedictory session in honour of Late Chief Elder Nweke Anyigor.

Late Chief Elder Nweke Isaac Anyigor was a dedicated statesman who gave himself in its entirety to serving humanity. As a former member of the National Assembly, former member of the Executive Council in the old Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States respectively, he was truly a Patriarch.

The house further adjourned proceedings till December 7, 2020.

Leave a Reply