Benue Assembly Suspends 8 APC Lawmakers Behind ‘Impeachment’ Notice
They were suspended for six months.
Nineteen lawmakers, under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during a counter plenary at the old banquet hall of the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, suspended the APC lawmakers for contempt of court and for holding illegal plenary
Eight lawmakers who are members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, party had gained access to the assembly complex Monday to commence what they termed ‘impeachment’ of the Governor.
The lawmakers were Adanyi Benjamin, Terhemba Chabo, Benjamin Nungwa, Bem Mngutyo, Adams Okloho, James Okefe and Nick Eworo.
The lawmakers were led by the impeached Speaker of the House, Terkimbi Ikyange (APC Ushongo) who was also later suspended by the house following his attempt to gain access to the state Assembly complex two days ago.
Recall that the Chief Judge of Benue State High court, Justice Adam Onum, had last week, given an order restraining the impeached speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange, from parading himself as the Speaker of the state House.
However, Governor Ortom, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said the lawmakers are not up to the required quorum that can effect such decision.
He also said that the necessary process, both legal and constitutional, towards impeaching a Governor were not even followed by the lawmakers. According to the statement,
“They have not been able to form a quorum, so it is not possible. Only eight people served the governor the notice, even at that, two other members who were part of the Kangaroo sitting were on the side of the governor, so how can anybody call that an impeachment notice. It’s laughable and must be ignored completely.”
