EDHA Reverses Agbebaku’s Resignation, Impeaches Former Speaker

BENIN CITY — The Edo State House of Assembly has rejected the purported resignation of its former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and instead resolved that he be impeached from office.

The decision was taken during plenary in Benin City after the Majority Leader, Hon. Ojezele Osezua Sunday, moved a motion seeking to substitute Agbebaku’s reported resignation with impeachment.

Osezua argued that the alleged resignation letter was not formally received or considered by the House, adding that the process did not conform with established parliamentary procedures.

He therefore urged members to support the motion for the former Speaker’s impeachment.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Oshomah Ahmed, representing Etsako Central Constituency.

When the matter was put to a vote, a majority of lawmakers supported the impeachment of the former Speaker.

Following the vote, the Majority Leader presented the impeachment letter to the Clerk of the House for onward transmission to the new Speaker.

Reacting to the development, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Idiaye, expressed displeasure over Agbebaku’s conduct and again directed him to return all property of the House in his possession on or before Friday.

He warned that law enforcement agencies could be invited to recover the property if the directive was not complied with.

Also during plenary, the House passed a bill to amend the Edo State House of Assembly Fund Management Law, 2023, as well as a bill seeking to amend the Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law, 2023.

The amendments received overwhelming support when the House dissolved into Committee of the Whole following a motion moved by the Majority Leader.

After consideration of the bills, the House reverted to plenary and the Speaker directed the Clerk, Alhaji Yahaya Omogbai, to forward clean copies to Governor Monday Okpebholo for assent.

In another development, the House confirmed the nomination of Mr. Ambrose Oyakhilome Ayewoh as Executive Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Plenary is expected to resume tomorrow.