Anambra Assembly suspends member over posts on Facebook

 

 
By Okechukwu Onuegbu

Anambra State House of Assembly, Tuesday, suspended the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, Hon. Bernard Udemezue for reportedly making uncomplimentary remarks on Facebook.

Udemezue, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recently became critical of the State government and State legislative chamber dominated by members of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), accusing them of panelbeating motions to appear as commendations.

The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, who ruled on the suspension after a report of the committee setup by the legislators to investigate Udemezue's activities, said the suspension was with immediate effect and would last for three months without salary.

According to a post on Facebook by Mr Franklin Osankwa, the Special Adviser on new media to the Speaker, the committee found that Udemezue has enjoyed lots of legislative support, right and privileges in the cause of discharging his legislative duties, addressed the various petitions received against him bothering on alleged assaults and others.

The committee also found that his attendance to plenary and other committee work were in contrary to section 109 (1f),(2) and (3), of the 1999 constitution of the country and order IV, rule 24 (A1) and (A2) of the Anambra State  House of Assembly Standing order, including alleged refusal to honor the Committee’s invitation or communicate accordingly, and his fingering of the State Government in the kidnap and death of late. Hon. Justice Azuka due to a planned impeachment plot of the Governor.

Others were alleged misuse of his position as former Chairman – House Committee on Homeland and Boundary affairs to influence and bail out suspects, abuse of the right to privacy of the 8th Assembly (as an institution) by publicly publishing private discussion of a closed group, including abuse of “the oath of Office he sworn to uphold” as in seventh Schedule and “the code of Conduct for Public Officer contains in 5th schedule – Items 9 and 10.

The House therefore, mandated Udemezue to issue a public apology to the Speaker, Udeze, and Honourable Members of the 8th Assembly through his social media handles and a written apology to the persons within five working days, while the State Commissioner of Police and Director of DSS were charged to invite him to provide useful information regarding the kidnap and death of Hon. Azuka.

"The suspension of three months is for the first instance; and can be reviewed if necessary especially if the resolutions of this Honourable House are not adhered to by Hon. Bernard Udemezue and or if such unparliamentary actions continue. That Hon. Bernard Udemezue should be subjected to various special sessions, training and or workshop on right parliamentary ethics, practice and duties.

" That the social media space is not and cannot be an approved means or approach to conducting legislative business especially for a Legislator. That Hon. Bernard Udemezue should not been seen within the State House of Assembly Complex for the period of the suspension," it stated.