A fresh twist has emerged in the leadership crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly, as lawmakers have converted the purported resignation of former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, into an impeachment.
The decision was taken during Monday’s plenary in Benin City after the Majority Leader, Sunday Ojezele, moved a motion for Agbebaku’s impeachment.
Ojezele said the alleged resignation letter was never formally received by the House, arguing that the reported verbal resignation was unknown to parliamentary practice and did not follow laid-down procedures. A majority of lawmakers supported the motion, after which Ojezele presented the impeachment letter to the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, for onward transmission to the Speaker, Yekini Idiaye.
Idiaye, in his remarks, criticised Agbebaku’s conduct and maintained that the former speaker remained suspended. He also directed Agbebaku to return all property belonging to the House in his possession on or before Friday, warning that law enforcement agencies could be involved if he failed to comply.
Meanwhile, the Assembly passed two bills aimed at strengthening financial autonomy and institutional independence in the state.
The first bill seeks to amend the Edo State House of Assembly Fund Management Law 2023, while the second amends the Edo State Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law 2023.
The bills were passed after the House resolved into a committee of the whole.
Ojezele said stronger institutions and government agencies would help curb corruption and fraud while protecting institutional independence. The Speaker directed the Clerk to transmit clean copies of the bills to Governor Monday Okpebholo for assent.
The House also confirmed Ambrose Ayewoh-Oyakhilomen as Deputy Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board before adjourning its sitting until Wednesday.
