Edo Assembly impeaches suspended Speaker Agbebaku

The Edo State House of Assembly has formally impeached its suspended Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, eight days after the political crisis surrounding his position began.

The impeachment was carried out during plenary on Monday, with the lawmakers insisting that Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency I, was removed from office and did not resign as previously reported.

The motion for his impeachment was moved by the Majority Leader, Sunny Ojiezele, and seconded by the member representing Etsako Central, Ahmed Waziri.

Following the development, the Speaker, Yekini Idaiye, directed Agbebaku to return all government property in his possession.

Idaiye, who represents Akoko-Edo I, warned that security agencies would be invited to recover the government property if the former Speaker failed to comply with the directive.

“This is to let the public know that the Edo State House of Assembly has formally impeached the suspended Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku,” Idaiye said.

He added that the former Speaker must return all government property in his possession, warning that security agencies would be engaged if he failed to comply.

The development followed the earlier suspension of Agbebaku and the subsequent election of Idaiye as Speaker.

Although Agbebaku had reportedly submitted a resignation notice on August 17, the House said the notice had not been formally presented and documented.

Idaiye said the impeachment notice was signed by 17 lawmakers and formally presented by the Majority Leader during the previous Monday’s plenary.

He explained that the House had therefore converted Agbebaku’s indefinite suspension to impeachment.

The latest action formally ends Agbebaku’s tenure as Speaker amid the leadership crisis in the Edo State legislature.