Alleged misconduct: House of Assembly suspends lawmaker, begins probe
Alleged misconduct: House of Assembly suspends lawmaker, begins probe
The Delta State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, imposed a 14-day suspension on the member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency, Matthew Omonade, for alleged gross misconduct.
The suspension order was officially pronounced by the Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor, following a motion to the effect raised on the floor of the House by the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi.
In the motion, which was supported by the Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro, and unanimously adopted by the House, the suspended lawmaker was alleged to have “willfully and falsely perverted the proceedings of the House on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.”
This, according to the Majority Leader, violated the Standing Order and rules of the House.
The motion was titled “Motion of breach of privilege
Majority Leader, while moving the motion, said, “It is an offence for any person to publish any defamatory statement reflecting on the proceedings or character of the House.
“The Honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency, willfully and falsely perverted the proceedings of Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
“Therefore, I move that the honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency be now suspended from the service of the House for a period of 14 legislative days, for gross misconduct.
“The honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 state constituency hands over to the management of the House, all government properties in his possession; and an ad hoc committee will be constituted to investigate the gross misconduct by the honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency.”
Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the Speaker, Guwor, pronounced a suspension order on the lawmaker, spanning 14 legislative days.
The Speaker said, “By the provisions of the House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Law, Cap H6 Laws of Delta State, 2008 and the Standing Orders of the House, the Honourable Member representing Ughelli North 1 State constituency shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House for the period of the suspension.
The Honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency should immediately return to the management all government properties in his possession, including the official vehicle.”
Consequently, the Speaker directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the suspended member out of the hallowed chamber.
He then announced a five-man ad hoc committee, headed by the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, to investigate the alleged gross misconduct.
Other members of the committee were the Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro, the Deputy Chief Whip, Fred Martins, the Minority Whip, Alapala Ebitonmo and the member representing Ika North East, Marylyn Okowa-Daramola.
The Deputy Clerk (Legislative), Mr D. S. Olorogun, is to serve as secretary of the committee.