BY PETER OKUTU
ABAKALIKI- Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon Ikechukwu Nwankwo, was yesterday impeached over alleged fraudulent activities, incompetence and gross abuse of office.

This came as result of the series of petitions and complaints that had emanated from the House and some stakeholders in the state.

Nwankwo represents Ebonyi North West constituency of the state.

In an extraordinary session which lasted less than 30 minutes, 20 of the 24 members of the State House of Assembly voted in support of the impeachment of Mr. Nwankwo, subsequently leading to the election of Mr. Chukwuma Nwazunku, representing Ebonyi North East constituency as the new speaker of the House.

The motion for the impeachment of the speaker was moved by Mr Obasi Odefa, representing Onicha East constituency and seconded by the chief whip and member representing Afikpo North East constituency, Mr Kingsley Ikoro.

Odefa explained that Nwankwo’s conduct was affecting the smooth running of the House as members were no longer comfortable with his conduct.

“We have the responsibility of defending our integrity to ensure we discharge our duties to the people without hindrances.

“We carried out the exercise in line with section 92 sub section 2c of the 1999 constitution as amended which gives us the power to remove any speaker at the point we feel is necessary, provided we have

two-third of the members in support

“The former speaker is hereby warned not to threaten the peace of the House as any attempt to disrupt the peace and order of the House, we will make sure he is prosecuted by anti-grant agencies,” he said.

Accordingly, the House also dissolved all standing committees and suspended its Chief Accountant (names withheld) while directing him to stop all transactions involving the State House of Assembly with immediate effect.

In his remarks, the new speaker, Nwazunku, who thanked his colleagues for electing him, promised to ensure unity among the members and stability in the running of the House.