Symbol  of Justice

The Benue State House of Assembly became a crises zone Thursday as the Speaker, Hon. David Iorhemba, was allegedly forced to resign his appointment.

At the sitting of the members  which was presided over by the deputy speaker, Hon. Stephen Omeje, the lawmakers were alleged to have unanimously signed the impeachment notice of the speaker.

Based on the impeachment notice signed by 28 out of 30 members of the Assembly, Hon. Baba Ode, representing Otukpo constituency, had moved a motion for the impeachment citing relevant section of 1999 Constitution, which he said, gave the Assembly power to remove the speaker.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Benjamin Adayin of Makurdi North constituency.
According to Ode, the members alleged highhandedness, gross financial impropriety and misrepresentation of members before the executive against the speaker, with no objection from the members as the deputy speaker declared the seat vacant.

The speaker who denied the allegation, however, said he was forced to sign his resignation in the mid of the crises.

Meanwhile, in the process of electing the new speaker to fill the vacant post, a young man jumped from the gallery into the main chamber where the members sat and was guided out by the clerk of the Assembly only for the young man to lead some known PDP youths numbering 20 into the chamber snatched the mace and bundled the speaker into his car and drove away, while the security operatives watched helplessly.

The thugs, who later took control of the chamber, allegedly descended on some members of the assembly beating them to a state of stupor turned.