The Edo State House of Assembly has impeached its former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, eight days after he announced his resignation amid the leadership crisis in the legislature.
Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency I, had on August 17 announced that he was stepping down as Speaker, following his suspension by the lawmakers.
The Assembly subsequently elected Yekini Idaiye, representing Akoko-Edo I, as his successor.
However, during Monday’s plenary, the lawmakers formally removed Agbebaku from office through an impeachment process.
Idaiye disclosed that 17 members signed the impeachment notice, which was presented to the House by the Majority Leader during the previous plenary.
He explained that the House decided to proceed with the impeachment because Agbebaku’s purported resignation had not been formally presented and documented after his suspension.
According to the new Speaker, the development meant that Agbebaku’s exit from office was through impeachment rather than resignation.
The motion seeking his formal impeachment was moved by the Majority Leader, Sunny Ojiezele, and seconded by the member representing Etsako Central Constituency, Ahmed Waziri.
Idaiye also directed Agbebaku to hand over all government property in his possession, warning that security agencies would be called in should he fail to obey the directive.
“This is to let the public know that the Edo State House of Assembly has formally impeached the suspended Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.
“And the impeached Speaker is to return all government property in his possession, and security agencies would be engaged if the former Speaker fails to comply with the directive of the House,” he said.
The impeachment brings another twist to the leadership crisis in the Edo Assembly, which culminated in Agbebaku’s suspension and the emergence of Idaiye as Speaker.
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