By kelechi ugo
Confusion reigned at the make shift complex of the Imo State House of Assembly located on Concorde Road, Owerri, when one of the serving lawmakers (names withheld) was accused of sprinkling powdery substances suspected to be fetish items at various offices in the complex, even as a member Innocent Ekeh has told reporters that he only came to take his drugs in office
The development which forced members of the House to hurriedly adjourn yesterday’s plenary session saw the lawmakers retiring to the deputy Speaker’s office or to discuss the incident.
Trumpeta learnt that the said lawmaker came earlier to the office on Thursday earlier than his usual time and walked straight to his office when other members including the staff of the House are yet to report to office for normal schedules. Oblivious of the fact that his presence has been noticed, the member who is representing one of the Owerri zone constituencies in the House was alleged to have started pouring the powdery substance around his office. The lawmaker said to be popular in the Assembly complex because of a brand name accorded him was said to have gone beyond his office to also spray it in other offices belonging to other members and staffers of the House.
After undertaking the assignment, the lawmaker hurriedly left the complex to get ready for the day’s activities and join his colleagues for the normal plenary session.
Luck however ran out of the lawmaker when his acts were said to have been spotted by the workers who came early to office. The information of the spraying of fetish item was leaked to the entire lawmakers.
The mood of the lawmakers changed immediately and the day’s sitting could not continue as the members went on adjournment.
Our correspondent observed that when the lawmaker returned to the House, to join in plenary session, he faced verbal attacks and was almost assaulted by infuriated colleagues aggrieved by his action.
The subsequent penalty to be meted to him was not made public after the executive session but Trumpeta was reliably informed that suspension is waiting for the lawmaker for the alleged dishonourable acts in the State Assembly if proven guilty.
Apart from the lawmakers, staffers are said to be terrified by the development and subsequently organized prayer warfare immediately for God’s protection.
The member representing Owerri West State Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Innocent Ekeh has however debunked the allegation leveled against him through social media that he spread fetish substance (juju) around the Assembly complex.
Briefing newsmen yesterday, Hon Ekeh explained that he only took drugs after his meal as prescribed by his physician.
The lawmaker disclosed that why he took the drug at Assembly complex was that he left his private home in the early hours of yesterday arrived at his office in order to keep to the appointment he had with Nekede Zoo manager before proceeding to the legislative business.
I left my house very early in the morning and went to Imo Government House to inform Her Excellency, Nkechinyere Okorocha about the proposed children’s day party organized by the Nekede Zoo management to entertain our children.
I want Imo First Lady to grace the occasion in order to effect more credence.
It was unfortunate that my secretary was not on seat when came back to my office.
So, I have no alternative than to take my drug within the spot. Is anybody to prove that I was there any native doctor or holding any fetish substance (juju) contrary to my drugs. So, it is a funny thing to hear somebody accusing me of spraying fetish substance (juju) within the complex” he explained.
The lawmaker further advised Imolites to disregard the information and continue their normal businesses adding that those behind such falsehood are trying to detract him from discharge his legislative functions.
