trong indications have emerged that based on popular demand and to command the respect of his colleagues, Speaker Ben Uwajumogu of the Imo State House Assembly may give way and step aside for the ad-hoc committee to continue its probe of fraudulent allegations leveled against his office.
The controversial committee has been out of news in recent times following the inability of the entire six-man team to gather and handle the probe.
Trumpeta was reliably informed that to save their integrity, some of the committee members turned their backs on Hon Ikenna Emeh led panel and have not attended any of the committees sittings and meetings based on the popular call that Uwajumogu must give way if proper investigations must be conducted.
To respect the wishes of the masses and conform with accepted rules, it was learnt that the Speaker has confided in some associates about his decision to step aside and allow the committee get on with the investigation.
A source in the office of the Speaker disclosed that the report is rife that the member representing Ihitte Uboma will tactfully give way as he may not completely quit from the office as Speaker. The idea according to the official who pleaded anonymity is to demonstrate Uwajumogu’s perceived innocence and allays fears that his presence will influence the ad-hoc committee members report.
The inconclusive state of the committee’s report may have also forced Uwajumogu to consider that option even when Trumpeta learnt that no money has been advanced to the committee as operational cost.
In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy, Donatus Ozoemena will take over but may likely be under strict monitoring to avoid sabotage and disloyalty to Uwajumogu’s interest. This decision may have also prompted the House members to shift resumption date to May 7, 2014.
Reacting on the matter, the member representing Okigwe State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Acho Ihim have debunked the report by stating that it is a mere rumour
Hon. Acho Ihim who is also a member of the investigation panel in a telephone chat with Trumpeta newspapers revealed that the entire House members are taking the accusation on Imo House of Assembly Speaker, Benjamin Uwajumogu very serious, adding, that the investigating panel have not ask him to step down for now. He declared that those spreading the rumour of stepping aside are detractors who want to cause confusion in the state.
The majority leader Imo state House of Assembly Hon Mrs Adaku Ihuoma in her own speech stated that the House member have no intension to impeach the speaker or Governor of Imo state.
The woman lawmaker maintained that the speaker, Rt Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu is bigger than the accusation leveled against his office by the former aide,, Samuelson Iwuoha. She described the speaker as an honest man who has made money before joining the House.
