Edo Assembly converts ex-Speaker’s resignation to impeachment

The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday rejected the resignation of its former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, converting it to impeachment.

The decision to convert the resignation of the former speaker to impeachment was taken during the plenary session in Benin.

Moving the motion for Agbebaku’s impeachment, the Majority Leader, Sunday Ojezele, said the alleged resignation letter was not received by the House.

Ojezele, who represents Esan South-East, said that the verbal resignation process “was unknown to parliamentary practices and did not conform with parliamentary procedures”.

He urged members to support the impeachment of the ex-speaker.

A majority of the members supported the motion for Agbebaku’s impeachment.

Ojezele subsequently presented the impeachment letter to the Clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, for onward transmission to the Speaker, Yekini Idiaye.

In a remark, the Speaker condemned what he described as Agbebaku’s “worrisome and unwarranted attitude” and reiterated that he remained suspended.

Idiaye directed Agbebaku to return all the House property in his possession on or before Friday.

He warned that law enforcement agencies would be engaged, should he fail to comply.

The House also passed two key bills that were designed to strengthen financial autonomy and institutional independence in the state.

The first was a bill for a Law to Amend the Edo State House of Assembly Fund Management Law, 2023.

The second was a bill for a Law to Amend the Edo State Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law, 2023, after resolving into a committee of the whole.

Ojezele reiterated that strengthening institutions and government agencies would help curb corruption and fraud while safeguarding institutional autonomy.

The Speaker directed the clerk to transmit clean copies of both bills to Governor Monday Okpebholo for assent.

The House also confirmed Ambrose Ayewoh-Oyakhilomen, who hails from Esan North-East, as the Deputy Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The House, thereafter, adjourned its sitting until Wednesday.