By okey alozie
The war against non APC complaint lawmakers in the Imo House of Assembly, might probably put speaker Benjamin Uwajumogu into serious problem.
The PDP legal Adviser in the state, Bar. C.O.C Akaolisa in a chat with Trumpeta newspaper prophesized a serious sanction on the speaker by the Apex court for excersing his power above limit.
According to him, the speaker was reckless and has no right to interfere into a matter that is already in the Supreme Court. “It is only the court that has right to sack a lawmaker and declare his seat vacant”. He said other Human Right Lawyers who spoke on the issue disclosed that they have resolved to return fire to fire and will fight for the embattled Oru East Lawmaker.
Bar. Dan Ugbaja in his own submission stated that the law must play its role adding that nobody is above the law.
The recent development have brought a division in the House following the arbitrary sack of member representing Oru East in the Imo State House of Assembly by the speaker, Rt Hon Ben Uwajumogu, a cross section of Imo residents have demanded for the immediate impeachment of the number legislator in the State Assembly.
Our reporters who monitored a popular radio phone in programme, Owerri based radio state, Hot FM people’s Assembly disclosed the callers were unanimous in their resolve that impeachment proceedings be started against Uwajumogu for autoerotic reason. Regular callers to the programme and members of the people’s parliament who spoke on the issue berated the speaker for allegedly engaging in illegal act that is purely in contrast to democratic norms and values. One of the regular callers Darlington Irobi took a snipe at the speaker for taking a unilateral policy is a slap to legislative process while pastor Ibe revertorated that the action speaks volume of Uwajumogu lack of legislative knowledge and sheer partisanship. Comrade Chidiebube Okeoma who summed what looked like a conference call said that the speaker’s action is an impeachable offence which the lawmaker should not overlook.
They were joined by other caller who not only poured invectives but last aspersion in Uwajumogu who was accused of victimizing Okemili for allegedly failing to join tuin and governor in APC.
Meanwhile, the Imo State House of Assembly has a letter signed by the clerk of the House has officially communicated to Okemili about his vacant seat.
However, Okemili in response to the letter the suit with ref No CA/OW/123/2012 is a subject of Appeal before the said Apex court in Abuja. While the judgment was delivered on the 10th of may 2013 at the court of Appeal, Owerri, he filed a notice of Appeal to the supreme court on the 24th of may 2013 and the letters of notification of the tendency of the suit was also written and delivered to the office the clerk of Imo Assembly and Attorney General of the state.
According to Okemili, his appeal at the apex court was the reason why no action was taken on the matter since eight months ago to enable Supreme Court reaxurie the judgment. “Because of this on the 11-12-2013, I filed a matan on Notice for leave to file additional grounds of Appeal copy”. While stating that he would neither wish that anything would be cited for contempt before the supreme court of Nigeria, Okemili expressed surprise why reference could be made to a matter that is “Lis pendence”.
However, the party thugs were lucky to have escaped before the security men arvend could be alerted of the destructions.
When our reporter visited the scene, the destroyed pictures of President Goodluck Jonathan were seen scattered all over the place.
The President is billed to visit Imo State on Saturday February 23 and members of his political party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
