Hon. Justin Okonoboh, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has been impeached and replaced with Hon. Kabiru Adjoto.
He was impeached on Monday by the lawmakers at the Assembly complex in Benin City, but Okonoboh said his impeachment was illegal and ordered the suspension of those involved in the exercise.
In his address, Adjoto noted that 16 lawmakers initially met and decided to file an impeachment notice on the impeached speaker.
He added that three others later joined them to increase the number to 19, stating that the exercise followed due process.
One of the allegations levelled against Okonoboh by the lawmakers was the fact that he shut down the House to attend his son’s graduation in the United States.
Ajoto, who also accused Okonoboh of running the House like a private enterprise, explained that it was normal to change the leadership if it was not performing.
He alleged that the former speaker had been adjourning the sitting of the House and awarding contracts without due process despite several cautions.
The new speaker also claimed that Okonoboh’s wife uses her husband’s official vehicle and also tried to influence the decisions of the House.
The new Speaker, Adjoto, represents Akoko-Edo I.
Okonoboh had alleged assassination attempt on his life in February at Igueben Local Government Area of the state.
He said he was on his way from his constituency on that Friday of February 24, 2017, when the incident happened.
Okonoboh claimed that the incident happened when he went to settle some land issues.
His aide in the escort van told him on the phone that he should be on the alert because a Toyota Camry was following them.