Imo lawmakers impeach speaker

Imo State lawmakers on Monday morning impeached the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem.

The speaker was impeached on the grounds of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

According to Punch, a mild drama ensued after six lawmakers led by the removed Deputy Speaker, Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, invaded the house and removed the Speaker, Paul Emeziem.

Before the speaker was removed, the complex was barricaded, barring Assembly staff, lawmakers and their aides from gaining access.

The session which did not last more than 15 minutes came to an end after Ibeh assumed office as the new helmsman of the parliament.

Emeziem, who got wind of his removal, rushed into the complex but was barred from gaining access into the complex.

The minority lawmakers immediately elected a ranking member, Kennedy Ibeh, as the new Speaker.

Ibeh, who represents the Obowo state constituency, was first elected into the parliament in 2015 and was reelected in 2019.

He was one of the six lawmakers, Emeziem controversially suspended on July 8 for “parliamentary misconduct.”