Angela Mbaocha, Abakaliki
The members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly whose seats were declared vacant recently by the House have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba and the Director-General, State Security Service, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, alleging forgery and treason.
They maintained that the Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers in the state assembly are the only legal members of the house, stating that the extant ruling of His Lordship Justice Ekwo, on March 8, sacked the All Progressives Congress lawmakers from the house.
Briefing newsmen on Thursday, the affected lawmakers maintained that they are still members of the house, even as they declared the said resignation letters signed by them forged.
Speaking on behalf of the PDP lawmakers, Hon Oliver Osi, said that up till March 16, 2022, the judgment has neither been successfully appealed nor has a stay of execution granted in respect of same, and as such they remained sacked.
He said the house will soon sit to elect new Principal Officers that will continue with their legitimate functions of law making, oversight and representation.
“The Ebonyi State House of Assembly under my leadership as Speaker, wishes to state that the 15 persons ceased to be members of the EBHA dating back to November 2020 when they defected to APC and given effect to the judgment of the Federal High Court on March 8, 2022,” he added.
He described the Tuesday sitting of the house as an invasion of the hallowed chambers, adding that the declaration of their seats vacant was the height of illegality.
The State Assembly had on Tuesday declared the seats of three lawmakers vacant following their alleged resignation as members of Ebonyi assembly.
Speaker of the House, Francis Nwifuru read the said resignation letters during an emergency sitting of the house on Tuesday .
The three lawmakers are Ali Okechukwu, representing Ishielu North State constituency, Franca Okpo, representing Abakaliki North state constituency and Victor Aleke, representing Ebonyi West, state constituency.
