Fresh facts have emerged on how the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), directed the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to provide security for the inauguration of the 14 members-elect and three other members of the Edo State House of Assembly on Thursday.
In the letter, with reference number HAGF/IGP/2020/Vol1/4, dated August 5, 2020, and obtained by our correspondent, the AGF also requested the IG to provide security for the subsequent sittings of the Edo State House of Assembly.
There was palpable tension in Benin, the state capital, on Thursday when the 17 lawmakers gathered in an unknown location to carry out the inauguration. The oath was said to have been administered by the Assembly’s Deputy Clerk, Mr Tom Efezokhae.
Only 10 out of the 24-member Assembly were inaugurated on June 17, 2019, following the proclamation issued by the Governor. The speaker of the 10-member Assembly, Frank Okiye, later declared the seats of the 14 members vacant.
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Following the new inauguration on Thursday, Okiye and his deputy, Rolland Asoro, were impeached during the sitting, presided over by the new speaker elected by the 17 members, Victor Edoror.
Meanwhile, in his letter, titled ‘Re: Urgent and nationalistic appeal to intervene in the restoration of constitutional democracy in Edo State of Nigeria,’ written to the IG, the AGF said he acted on the letter written by Messrs West Idahosa & Co., requesting his intervention.
The letter added, “I am requesting that you kindly provide adequate security measures for the purpose of the inauguration of the concerned members and the subsequent sittings of the Edo State House of Assembly.”
The PUNCH
