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Tag: Ebonyi Assembly

  • Former Ebonyi Assembly Speaker dumps PDP for APC

    Former Ebonyi Assembly Speaker dumps PDP for APC

    Former Ebonyi House of Assembly Speaker Chukwuma Nwazunku has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Nwazunku, the immediate past Member representing Ebonyi/ Ohaukwu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives defected on Saturday at Ugwuachara during the APC meeting in Echiaba Ward of Ebonyi Local Government Area (LGA).

    The APC chairman in Ebonyi, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, who received Nwazunku alongside several of his supporters, congratulated them for the decision, which he described as courageous and strategic.

    Okoro-Emegha, represented by the APC chairman in Ebonyi LGA, Chief Patrick Orogbo, assured them of equal opportunities within the party structure.

    “The party remains committed to internal democracy, transparency, and inclusiveness regardless of political background or previous affiliation,” he said.

    The APC chairman in Echiaba Ward, Mr Amobi Nwofoke, commended Gov. Francis Nwifuru for his sterling performances in office over the past two years.

    Read Also: Ebonyi assembly okays purchase of aircraft for airport takeoff

    “The governor’s outstanding developmental strides have significantly diminished opposition in the state, gradually transforming it into a unified political entity,” he said.

    Nwazunku in his remarks, said his spirit had long departed the PDP due to its diminishing internal cohesion and relevance.

    “My decision to join the APC was inspired by the remarkable accomplishments of President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Francis Nwifuru.

    “I will mobilise my supporters across the state to ensure the resounding success of APC particularly in the forthcoming 2027 general elections,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).reports that the event attracted key stakeholders from within and outside the ward.

    NAN also reports that the ranks of the opposition in the state has continued to deplete with several figures defecting to the APC.

    (NAN)

  • Ebonyi Assembly Chief Whip arraigned for alleged certificate forgery

    THE Chief Whip of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chike Imo Ogiji, was on Friday arraigned by the Police at a Magistrate Court in the Abakaliki district for alleged certificate forgery.

    Ogiji, who represents Ikwo South State Constituency, was arraigned on a four count charge bordering on swearing false affidavit, forgery of exam papers and forgery of primary school testimonial. According to court records, the count one of the charge read; ‘ That you Ogiji Imo Chike ‘m’, on the 10th day of November, 2006 at the Abakaliki in the Magisterial district of this court did unknowingly swore false affidavit touching on a first school leaving certificate purportedly issued to you in the year 1984 by Community Primary School Uduku Ettam Okpuiumo in Ikwo Local Government area, Ebonyi State and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 118 of the Criminal Code Act, cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Ebonyi”.

    “Count two: Ogiji Imo Chike m, between 2007 and 2015 at Abakaliki Magistrate district of this court did forge an entry schedule mark sheet and state exams for Community Primary School Uduku Ettam Okpuitumo in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in the year 1986 with intent that it may be used or acted upon as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 465 and punishable under section 467 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Ebonyi State of Nigeria.”

    In the third count, Ogiji was accused of altering “an affidavit sworn to at the law court and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 465 and punishable under section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Ebonyi State of Nigeria.”

    In count four, the lawmaker was accused of forging “primary school testimonial of Uduku Community Primary School, Ikwo Local Government Area dated 27th July, 2015 with intent that it may be used or acted upon as genuine and punishable under section 467 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Ebonyi State of Nigeria”.

    After the charges were read to his understanding, Ogiji entered a not guilty plea to the charges. His Defence Counsel, Emeka Odom urged the court to grant him bail. He argued that the lawmaker is presumed innocent at this stage until proven guilty.

    “The fundamental issue in this application for bail is to ensure that he is available to face trial. We urge this court to admit him bail on self recognition. He is a person of repute and he is representing Ikwo South State constituency in the state House of Assembly, he is also the Chief Whip of the Assembly”, Mr Emeka added.

    “The accused is enjoying police administrative bail and is so religious in granting police interview. He came from police to this court, manifesting that the respect he has for the law of the nation”, the Counsel further told the court.’’

  • Ebonyi Assembly lifts suspension of Female Lawmaker

    Ebonyi Assembly lifts suspension of Female Lawmaker

    The Ebonyi state House of Assembly has lifted the suspension slammed on the member representing Afikpo North East Constituency, Mrs Maria Nwachi over alleged acts inconsistent with her office as a lawmaker.

    The House came up with the resolution after considering a motion filled before the House by the Deputy Leader, Kingsley Ikoro.

    Mrs Nwachi was suspended in January this year for fourteen Legislative days after consideration of the allegations of photographing in public functions by the House Leader, Mr. Joseph Nwobasi.

    The speaker thereafter constituted a committee headed by the Chief Whip of the House, Chike Ogiji to consider the allegations and report back to the House.

    On 6th of February,this year, the Chike Ogiji led Adhoc committee presented its report and recommended Six months suspension against the lawmaker to inculcate in her the decorum expected of a lawmaker which was unanimously upheld.

    But barely nine Days after the suspension, the Deputy Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro approached the House with a motion to recall the embattled member citing remorsefulnesson the part of the lawmaker.

    He pleaded with the speaker and his colleagues to temper justice with mercy as Mrs Nwachi has approached her colleagues individually and collectively asking for forgiveness.

    The motion was seconded by Mrs Augusta Ude of Ohaozara East constituency.

    Mrs Ude said her telephone conversation with Nwachi confirmed the readiness of the Lawmaker to turn a new leaf.

    Mr. Victor Chukwu of Ezza North west constituency while lending support to the motion advocated for Counselling of the lawmaker to instill good behavior into the lawmaker.

    The speaker noted that the lawmaker has exhibited a certain degree of remorsefulness and subjected the motion into a voice vote and it was unanimously upheld. Ends

  • Ebonyi Assembly amends electoral law

    The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has amended the state’s electoral law to conform with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

    The Assembly expunged Option A4 and other sections that contradict the nation’s law.

    Governor David Umahi sent a bill for the amendment to the Assembly.

    The governor noted that the amendment became necessary because of the discovered lack of comprehensive electoral law in the state.

    A letter accompanying the bill was read on the floor of the Assembly by House Leader Joseph Nwaonashi.

    The governor recalled that the last local government elections were nullified by the Federal High Court due to some obnoxious provisions in the state’s electoral law.

    Umahi said the amendment, if carried out, would correct the defects in the conduct of local government elections.

    Leading the debate on the bill, Nwaobashi said the bill was a round peg in a round hole.

    The lawmaker said laws made in Ebonyi State should at all times conform with the laws of other parts of the federation.

    Nwaobashi urged his colleagues to support the bill, saying it would go a long way to ensure credible and transparent elections in the state.

    Julius Nwokpor, who seconded the motion, said the removal of open ballot system, also called Option A4, would reduce apathy witnessed in such elections.

  • Ebonyi Assembly to issue arrest warrant on LP chief, others

    Ebonyi Assembly to issue arrest warrant on LP chief, others

    The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against some companies and contractors, including Labour Party’s (LP’s) governorship aspirant in last year’s election, Mr. Edward Nkwegu, for allegedly refusing to appear before its committee.

    The Chief Whip and Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating the state’s housing projects, Chike Ogiji, gave the warning yesterday in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    The lawmaker warned that the companies and contractors would be arrested, if they failed to appear before his committee tomorrow.

    Those who also risk possible arrest include a former Commissioner for Education, Chibueze Agbo, as well as his father, Eze Chibueze Agbo, who is the traditional ruler of Mgbo community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

    Their company, Eze Chibueze Agbo and Sons, was also listed as possible defaulters.

    The contractors listed to appear before the committee are: JMK Construction Company Limited, Costain west Africa, Aguiyi Nigeria Limited, Phinotech Nigeria Limited, Angele Standard Limited, Zim Engineering Limited, Eze Chibueze Agbo and Son, Namik Construction Commerce Limited and Fred Technical Limited.

    Others are: CAT Construction Group, Danesworth International Limited, WATA Construction Limited and Tonimann Integrated Limited.

    Ogiji said the warrant of arrest was in line with the constitutional powers of the Assembly to probe the affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government departments, as stipulated in Section 128, subsection 1B of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    The lawmaker also cited Section 129, subsection 1B, which states that “an issue of warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House of Assembly or committees, and orders him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by any reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law”.

    He said the Assembly would do everything within its powers to compel the companies to obey the rule of law and be held accountable for their actions.

    But Agbo said his company had always sent representatives to the Assembly anytime it was summoned.

    He said: “We are partners in progress with the government. We cannot refuse to appear. Anytime they call on us, we will appear.

    “The Assembly is doing its lawful duties and we don’t have any problem with it. We will appear on the appointed date.”

    Efforts to reach Nkwegu were unsuccessful as he did not answer the calls to his mobile phone.

  • Ebonyi Assembly approves withdrawal of appropriation bill

    Ebonyi Assembly approves withdrawal of appropriation bill

    Ebonyi state House of Assembly Thursday approved the withdrawal of 2015 appropriation bill.

    It also approved the appointment of six (6) Senior Special Advisers, as requested by the Governor, Chief Dave Umahi.

    The immediate past Governor, Chief Martin Elechi had on 31st December 2014 presented appropriation bill estimated at N80.017, 929,870, which was tagged ‘budget of transition and fulfillment’ but due to the strained relationship between the Executive and legislative arms, efforts to lure the lawmakers to pass the budget by Elechi were stalled.

    In a letter sent to the House by the present Governor, Chief Umahi, which was read during the plenary, the governor requested the House to approve the withdrawal of the budget to enable the state government reconsider it to ensure it conformed with the reality of the moment and yearning of the people of the state.

    It read: “I wish to withdraw the 2015 budget proposal earlier presented to this honorable House for consideration to enable our administration re-amend the budget to conform to the present realities and economic challenges. We shall resubmit the budget for your kind evaluation and consideration before 30th of June, 2015.”

    The motion for the withdrawal of the bill was moved by the leader of the House, Hon. Joseph Nwaobashi representing Ezza north east and seconded by Hon. Ude Augusta representing Ohaozara east.

    They urged the Members to allow the state government to withdraw the budget in order to meet up with the present realities since the immediate past government who presented it failed to appear to defend the budget.

    The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Nwifuru Ogbonaya Francis representing Izzi West put the motion to voice vote and it was unanimously supported by the lawmakers.

    In another letter by Governor Umahi which was also unanimously approved; he requested the lawmakers to approve the appointment of six Senior Special Advisers, to assist him in running the affairs of the state.

    Speaker Nwifuru directed the Clerk of the House to make a memo to the Governor informing him of the approval of the letters he sent to the House.

    The Speaker also announced the re-constitution of the committee probing the local government council chairmen and Coordinators of Development Centres earlier set up by their predecessors to be headed by Hon. Odefa Obasi Odefa representing Onicha East state constituency.

  • Court rejects motion to stop Ebonyi Speaker

    An Abakaliki High court Monday rejected the motion filed by the Helen Nwaobasi led faction of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly seeking to stop Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku from parading himself as speaker of the Assembly.

    The House has been in crisis since July 21 when 18 lawmakers allegedly removed Nwazunku and replaced him with Nwaobasi.

    But Nwazunku backed by nine lawmakers headed to court to stop Nwaobasi from parading herself as the speaker of the House.

    Also, Nwaobasi supported by 13 lawmakers filed a counter motion to stop Nwazunku from making claim to that position.

    Ruling on Nwaobasi ‘s motion on Monday, the presiding judge of the vacation court, Chinyere Ken Eze, said the status quo before the said impeachment should be maintained pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    She also ordered the state’s Chief Judge to reassign the matter to another court since the vacation court is expected to end its assignment on September 12.

    The judge also condemned the Nwazunku faction for going ahead to sit in the chamber while the matter was still pending in court.

     

  • Ebonyi elders recommend resignation for impeached speaker

    Ebonyi elders mediating in the crisis rocking the state House of Assembly have recommended that the former speaker’s impeachment be converted to resignation.

    This was one of the resolutions made by the elders when they met Governor Martin Elechi on Wednesday.

    A reliable source who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that they also agreed that the impeachment actually took place.

    The elders had met with all the 24 members of the House on Monday to find an amicable solution to the lingering crisis which started when 18 of them impeached former Speaker Chukwuma Nwazunku last week.

    They also replaced him with Rt. Hon. Helen Nwaobashi as the new speaker.

    But the former speaker and a few of the members opposed the action leading to the police taking over of the assembly complex to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    But the crisis escalated with attack on a female member, Hon Nnenna Nwene and the abduction of Sam Nwali, the House majority leader.

    Both lawmakers backed Nwazunku’s impeachment, leading to suspicion that the attacks were orchestrated by some elements in the former speaker’s camp.

  • Ebonyi female lawmaker attacked

    A female member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Nnenna Nwene, was allegedly attacked on Tuesday morning by tugs loyal to the impeached Speaker of the House, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku.

    Nwene was attacked as she was driving to the residence of Hon. Ikechukwu Ogbu, a member in the new Speaker’s camp.

    Ogbu’s residence serves as convergence venue for the 18 members loyal to the new speaker, Rt. Hon Helen Nwaobasi.

    Nwaobasi, who is representing Abakaliki South in the House of Assembly, was installed as the new speaker by majority of the lawmakers on Monday.

    Narrating her ordeal, Nwene said she was accosted as she was nearing the Lawrence Onor Street residence of Ogbu for a meeting with her colleagues.

    She said, “They poured dirty water on me and threatened to deal with me for joining others to impeach the former speaker.”

    Nwene said the attack has further strengthened her resolve to stand firm behind the new speaker and other decision’s they took.

     

  • Ebonyi Assembly suspends deputy speaker, two others

    The Ebonyi State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended its Deputy Speaker, Chief Blaise Orji.
    Also suspended are the member representing Afikpo South West constituency, Barr. Eni Uduma Chima and his Ohaukwu North counterpart, Mr. Frank Onwe.
    The trio were suspended during plenary for alleged “unparliamentary” acts capable of causing disaffection in the running of the state government.
    The Deputy Chief Whip, Francis Nwifuru, moved the motion for their suspension under matters of urgent public importance.
    He said Oji, Onwe and Chima should be suspended by the House for causing crisis between the Executive and the House of Assembly.
    He described the alleged activities of the House members as detrimental to the developmental drive of the present administration.
    A member the House representing Ikwo South constituency, Mr. Chike Ogiji seconded the motion.
    He condemned the actions of the three members, adding that anybody found trying to cause disaffection between the state Executive and any other organ of the government will be shown the way out.
    The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku, put the motion to vote and it was unanimously adopted.
    Reacting, the trio stated that their suspension was the outcome of a “resolvable” misunderstanding.
    “The Speaker is a very good man. There are no hard feelings. It is a misunderstanding which will be resolved in due course.”