Delta State Assembly Suspends Opposition Member, Over Gross Misconduct

Delta State House of Assembly, Tuesday, slammed a suspension order on the member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency, Hon Matthew Omonade, for alleged gross misconduct.

The suspension order which was officially pronounced by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor was preceded by a motion raised on the floor of the House by the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, Aniocha North.

In the motion which was supported by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Perkins Umukoro, Sapele, and unanimously adopted by the House, the suspended lawmaker was alleged to have willfully and falsely perverted the proceedings of the House of Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

This, according to the Majority Leader, violates the standing order and rules of the House hence, the need for the suspension.

The motion entitled “MOTION OF BREACH OF PRIVILEGE”, reads:

“WHEREAS, Order V1 Rule 19(1) of the Standing Orders of the House provides for the rights enjoyed by the House collectively and by Members of the House individually as conferred by the House of Assembly ( Powers and Privileges) Law, CapH6, Laws of Delta State, 2008; and

“WHEREAS, It is an offense under the House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Law, Cap H6 Laws of Delta State, 2008 for any person to willfully publish any false or perverted report of any debate or PROCEEDINGS of the House or a committee or willfully misrepresent any speech made by a member in the House or in a committee; and

“WHEREAS, It is an offense for any person to publish any defamatory statement reflecting on the proceedings or character of the House; and

“WHEREAS, The Honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency, willfully and falsely perverted the proceedings of the House of Wednesday, 8th May, 2024.

“THEREFORE, I move that:

1. the Honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency be now suspended from the service of the House for a period of 14( fourteen) legislative days, for gross misconduct;

“2. The Honourable Member representing Ughelli North 1 state Constituency hands over to the management of the House all Government properties in his possession; and

“3. An Ad-hoc Committee be constituted to investigate the gross misconduct by the Honourable member representing Ughelli North 1State Constituency”.

Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor pronounced a suspension order on the lawmaker spanning 14 legislative days.

“Distinguished colleagues, the Honourable Member representing Ugheli North 1 State Constituency is hereby suspended by this Honourable House for 14 legislative days.

“By the provisions of the House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Law, Cap H6 Laws of Delta State, 2008 and the Standing Orders of the House, the Honourable Member representing Ughelli North 1 State constituency shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House for the period of the suspension.

“The Honourable Member representing UghelliNorth 1 State Constituency, should immediately return to the Management all government properties in his possession including the official vehicle”.

The Speaker then directed the Sergeant-at–Arms to escort the Member from Ughelli North 1 out of the Hallowed Chamber.

He further announced a Five-man Ad-hoc committee to investigate the alleged gross misconduct, with the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi as Chairman.

Other members include, the Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro, the Deputy Chief Whip, Fred Martins, Minority Whip, Alapala Ebitonmo and the member representing Ika North East, Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, while Deputy Clerk, Legislative, Mr DS Olorogun is to serve as Secretary of the Committee.