Tag: Ekiti State House Of Assembly

Oluwawole Insists He Remains Speaker Of Ekiti Assembly

Ekiti House of Assembly

 

Mr Kola Oluwawole, who was impeached as Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly on Thursday, says he remains the authentic speaker and of the assembly.

Oluwawole described his removal as an illegality which cannot stand.

According to him, 18 members are supposed to carry out a speaker’s impeachment.

He, therefore, insisted that the 14-member action is not valid under the law.

Read Also: Ekiti Assembly Impeaches Speaker, Kola Oluwawole

Oluwawole was immediately replaced by Ebenezer Alagbada.

The 14 lawmakers also removed the deputy speaker and principal officers of the House and also announced the suspension of some members.

They cited abuse of office and mismanagement of the resources of the House among other reasons for their actions.

The development is coming few days to the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent governor of the state, Mr Ayodele Fayose.

Ekiti Assembly Unrest: Lawmakers Allege Plot To Assassinate Five Members

EkitiSome members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly are alleging that there is a plan to assassinate five other members, including the Speaker, Kola Oluwawole.

Addressing at a press conference at the hallowed chambers of the House on Wednesday, the Assembly members alleged that the suspended member of the House, Honourable Gboyega Aribisogan, representing Ikole constituency-one and Yinka Akerels were the brain behind the alleged assassination plot.

After the suspension of Mr Aribisiogan as a member of the State Assembly few weeks ago for alleged anti-party activities and disloyalty, the Assembly has been with one crisis or the other.

The latest is the claim by the assembly members of an alleged plot to assassinate five of them.

The lawmakers, who also restated their unflinching support for Governor Ayodele Fayose, said appropriate security agencies had been briefed about the assassination attempt, but they were yet to get a feedback.

In his reaction the embattled lawmaker, Honourable Aribisogan denied all the allegations levelled against him.

The Chairman House Committee on Information Samuel Omotoso and the suspended Assembly member, Honourable Aribisogan, were said to be very close pals, but now the story has changed.

Rights Commission Probes Alleged Travel Restriction On Fayose

Bem-Angwe-ProfessorThe National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it will investigate the travel restriction allegedly placed on the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose and one other Governor from the south-south by the Federal Government.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Bem Angwe, made the plan know on Monday while addressing members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

The lawmakers were in his office to submit a petition on the alleged placement of travel ban on Governor Fayose and the illegal arrest and detention for a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

Ekiti State House of Assembly had petitioned the NHRC, National Assembly, Amnesty International, Embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom over the alleged plot by the Federal Government to prevent Governor Fayose from traveling outside Nigeria without getting clearance from the Department of State Service.

Governor Fayose is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party that has voice several criticisms against the current government of the All Progressives Congress.

Ekiti Lawmaker In Hospital After His Release From DSS Custody

Ekiti lawmaker in DSS custody The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Mr Afolabi Akanni, a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly who has been in the custody of the DSS since March 4.



The lawmaker is being investigated by the DSS over an alleged forgery during the Peoples Democratic Party’s House of Representatives primaries held in Ekiti North Federal Constituency-Two and an alleged assault on Justice John Adeyeye of the State High Court.

He told reporters that he was released after he collapsed twice in detention.

The lawmaker is currently receiving medical treatment at a private hospital in Abuja the nation’s capital city.

Mr Akanni’s alleged abduction by operatives of the DSS had been condemned by  a federal lawmaker during one of the Senate’s proceedings.

Senator Biodun Olujimi, informed the Senate, that on March 4, armed operatives from the DSS invaded the chamber of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

“The Senate is alarmed that on Friday, March 4, the hallowed chamber of the Ekiti State House of Assembly was invaded by armed men of the Department of State Services.

“Not minding that the various committees of the House were meeting, more than 10 DSS men armed to the teeth invaded the assembly complex shooting sporadically into the air, thereby causing panic among members and staff of the House who had to scamper for safety and were afraid for their lives,” she told the Senate.

After his disappearance, the state government alleged that he was dead, but the DSS on March 17 presented Mr Afolabi before newsmen in Abuja.

After been held for over 20 days, the DSS released him.

 

Alleged House Invasion: National Assembly Members Visit Ekiti State

National-Assembly-NigeriaA joint committee set up by the National Assembly to investigate the alleged invasion of the Ekiti State House of Assembly by men of the Department of State Service (DSS) has visited Ekiti State, as investigation of the invasion begins.

They promised to ensure that justice, equity and fairness prevail on the matter.

The committees made the promise during a meeting with the state’s Governor, Ayodele Fayose, at the governor’s office in Ado Ekiti, the capital of the state.

Governor Fayose thanked the National Assembly fact-finding committee members for the visit and urged them to do justice to the issue.

Before the meeting with the Governor, the National Assembly joint committee members had visited the state’s Commissioner of Police, Director SSS, the House of Assembly complex and other concerned agency to gather information on the alleged invasion of the House of Assembly by men of the DSS.

One of the committees member, Senator Shaba Lafiaji, who was a former Governor of Kwara State, said their visit was for fact finding.

He said that the committee would present its findings to the National Assembly after its investigations.

Some officials of the DSS were alleged to have invaded the Ekiti State House of Assembly and took away some lawmakers.

After the invasion, a Senator, Biodun Olujimi, told the Senate that on March 4, armed operatives from the DSS invaded the chamber of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

She sought intervention of the upper chamber.

“The Senate is alarmed that on Friday, March 4, the hallowed chamber of the Ekiti State House of Assembly was invaded by armed men of the department of State Services.”

She said that the action of the DSS was also outside the scope of its mandate and urged the National Assembly to step in to defend and uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

After deliberations, the Senates’ Committee on National Security and Intelligence was mandated to conduct the investigation and report back to the Senate

On Monday members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly appealed to international organisations to assist them secure the release of four of their members presently being detained by men of the Department of State Service.

Bearing placards with various inscription, the lawmakers condemned the continued detention of their colleagues, describing the action as unjust.

Ekiti Lawmakers Seek Int’l Help On Alleged Abducted Members

EkitiMembers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly are appealing to international organisations to assist them secure the release of four of their members presently being detained by men of the Department of State Service.

Bearing placards with various inscription, the lawmakers expressed worries over the continued detention of their colleagues, describing the action as unjust.

They took their protest to the embassy of the United States and the residence of the British ambassador in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Honourable Gboyega Aribishop explained how the security agents abducted the four lawmakers.

He said: “The DSS came to our office with guns, shooting sporadically in the air in the last two weeks. They abducted four of our members and up till now, we have not seen them.

“They did not allow them to have access to their lawyers, they did not allow them to have access to their drugs, the doctors cannot see them, (and) the families cannot call them. This should not happen in a democracy (and) that is why we are here to plead with the international communities to help us stop this type of dictatorial tendencies coming from the DSS. One of our members has actually been confirmed to be with them (while) three are not seen”.

Honourable Aribishop lamented that there was no communication about the offence the lawmaker has committed, adding that he had not been charged.

Speaking to reporters, the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Kola Oluwawole, insisted that the “Ekiti State House of Assembly remains united”.

“We cannot be intimidated (and) we cannot be induced to impeach the Governor.

“Governor Ayodele Fayose was duly elected in a transparent election that has been adjudged as one of the best elections eve held in Nigeria and commended by international observers,” he said.

Court Orders DSS To Release Detained Ekiti Lawmaker

ekiti lawmakerA Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital has ordered the Directorate of State Security (DSS) to immediately release the detained Ekiti lawmaker, Hon Afolabi Akanni.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo, in his ruling on Friday also granted an injunction restraining the DSS from re-arresting Akanni pending the determination of the application.

The Ekiti lawmaker, through his lawyers, Barr. Obafemi Adewale and Bunmi Olugbade, had approached the court through an exparte application seeking the protection of his fundamental human rights in line with section 35(1) of the 1999 constitution.

In an exparte motion filed on March 10 and supported by 21-paragraph affidavits, deposed by a member of the House, Tunji Akinyele, sought an order of the court compelling the DSS to release him pending the determination of the substantive issue.

Justice Taiwo in his ruling agreed with the applicant that the enforcement of fundamental human right is a case of urgency and should be so treated expeditiously.

The judge, however, fixed further hearing on the case till Wednesday, March 16.

He also ordered that the respondent be served with all the court processes before the March 16 hearing.

The Senates’s Committee on National Security and Intelligence have also been mandated to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the alleged invasion of the Ekiti State House of Assembly by the Department of State Services (DSS).

This was after a federal lawmaker, Senator Biodun Olujimi, informed the Senate, that on March 4, armed operatives from the DSS invaded the chamber of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

Senate Investigates Invasion Of Ekiti House Of Assembly By DSS

Senate-NigeriaThe Nigerian Senate is investigating immediate and remote causes of the alleged invasion of the Ekiti State House of Assembly by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Senates’ Committee on National Security and Intelligence have been mandated to conduct the investigation.

A federal lawmaker, Senator Biodun Olujimi, informed the Senate, that on March 4, armed operatives from the DSS invaded the chamber of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

“The Senate is alarmed that on Friday, March 4, the hallowed chamber of the Ekiti State House of Assembly was invaded by armed men of the department of State Services.

Biodun-Olujimi-senator-in-Nigeria
Senator Biodun Olujimi is worried that the reason of the invasion and abduction of the lawmaker is still known

“Not minding that the various committees of the House were meeting, more than 10 DSS men armed to the teeth invaded the assembly complex shooting sporadically into the air, thereby causing panic among members and staff of the House who had to scamper for safety and were afraid for their lives,” she told the Senate.

The Senator said the action by the DSS was not only unconstitutional and illegal, but also a plot intended to harass and intimidate the people of Ekiti State.

Senator Olujimi said the action of the DSS was also outside the scope of its mandate and urged the National Assembly to step in to defend and uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

She also expressed concerns that at the end of the commotion created by the “barbaric act” four members of the House of Assembly could not be found,

According to her, there were reports over the weekend that Honourable Afolabi Akani was abducted and taken to Abuja.

Senator Olujimi further told the Senate that the whereabouts of the other three members was still unknown.

 

Fayose Impeachment: Lawmakers Question Court’s Jurisdiction To Hear Case

Court JusticeThe All Progressive Congress (APC), factional speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Adewale Omirin has challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction of the Ekiti State House of Assembly challenging the attempt to impeach Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.

Counsel to the APC-faction of the Ekiti State Assembly, Mr Terrence Vembe told the court that the applicants did not properly seek the leave of the court to file the suit as such the suit cannot be heard.

However, Counsel to the applicants, Mr Ahmed Raji opposed the application, saying Mr Vembe did not properly file a notice of appearance to the court as such he has no right to address the court or even challenge the jurisdiction of the court.

Having heard all parties, trial judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu asked all parties to exchange documents on the question of the court’s jurisdiction.

He however ordered all parties to maintain status quo, as previously ordered by the court, until the next adjourned date.

The case has been adjourned to the May 21, 2015 for the court to decide if it has jurisdiction to hear the case.

Impeachment: Abuja Court Orders Ekiti Lawmakers To Maintain Status Quo

NDDCA Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the Ekiti House of Assembly seeking the impeachment of Governor Ayodele Fayose to maintain the status quo.

The court says the order should be upheld pending the determination of the suit filed by seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the state.

The trial judge, Hustle Evoh Chukwu, summoned the lawmakers to appear before him and show cause why he should not declare their seats vacant and also set aside all the actions taken so far with respect to the impeachment of Governor Fayose.

The judge also ‎ordered the plaintiffs to issue and serve the originating summons and all other processes in the suit on the defendants through substituted means.

‎Justice Chukwu, thereafter, adjourned the suit to May 4, 2015‎ for hearing of the motion on notice.

The defendants had asked the court to stop the impeachment proceedings against Governor Fayose. They also sought that the Clerk of the Ekiti State Assembly should be restrained from further according legislative privileges to the APC lawmakers in view of their continued absence from meetings and legislative business of the state House of Assembly, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.

Police Wade Into Ekiti State Assembly Crisis

Ekiti-CPThe Police in Ekiti State in south-west Nigeria seem to have their hands full with the lingering political tension in the State House of Assembly.

Barely few days after a purported impeachment notice was served on the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Olubunmi Olusola – Eleka, and the former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly were denied access into the premises by the police earlier on Monday.

It was reported that the supporters of the party were at the venue to prevent the 19 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from performing their legislative duties.

However, the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Taiwo Lakanu, said the force would not relent in its mandate to protect lives and properties without fear or favour.

Ekiti House Suspends Seven Members

EkitiNineteen All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly have suspended factional Speaker, Dele Olugbemi and the six lawmakers loyal to him.

The lawmakers held a plenary sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

At the sitting presided over by the Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, the APC lawmakers also nullified all legislative activities purportedly carried out by the PDP caucus.

These include the receipt and consideration of the 2015 appropriation bill.

They also resolved to relocate the sittings of the House to the campus of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), citing the taking over of the assembly complex by thugs and miscreants.

The lawmakers also voted in favour of the local government autonomy and constitutional amendment giving autonomy to the House of Assembly.

Although Governor Ayo Fayose appears to have emerged victorious in the election tribunal, his disagreement with lawmakers in his state has been regarded as one that needs to be resolved quickly to enable all parties involved concentrate on development.