Reports just reaching news desk of HardReports says there is trouble at the Edo state house of Assembly as the speaker, Mr. Justin Okonoboh, is impeached over alleged corrupt practices.
Over the past two months, HardReporters correspondent reports that speculation had it that Okonoboh, who assumed office barely a year ago, might be impeached.
It would be recalled that Okonoboh’s predecessor, Mr. Victor Edoror, was also impeached under similar circumstances in June 2016.
HardReporters learnt, drama ensued at the Assembly during the impeachment of the Speaker, following an impeachment notice signed by 19, out of the 24-member of the house.
Following the impeachment, the house elected the former principal officer of the House, representing Akoko Edo I, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto, as the new Speaker while Okonoboh, his deputy, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie; and the former Majority Leader, Mr. Foly Ogedengbe, were suspended for three months.
However, Ogedengbe described the impeachment as illegal, adding that the House did not form a quorum.
The PUNCH reports that the House had only reconvened after 26 days of break for oversight functions when the incident occurred.
It was gathered that on the resumption of plenary, Emmanuel Agbaje, read a letter of a vote of no confidence on the floor of the House.
The member representing Etsako West II, Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga, was said to have asked Okonoboh to vacate the exalted seat, a development that led to a fight among some of the lawmakers in the chambers.
Okonoboh was, however, said to have left the seat after much pressure, leaving Eruaga to sit as Speaker pro tempore.
Efforts by another member of the House, Magnus Igbas, to prevent the removal of Okonoboh was said to have been heavily resisted by some of his colleagues, who also descended on him.
It was also learnt that Adjoto was later elected as the new Speaker after he was nominated by Eruaga.
The Assembly workers were locked out while the impeachment lasted.
There was also a heavy presence of security operatives around the premises to prevent a further breakdown of law and order.
