… Releases Committee’s Recommendations
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Anambra State House of Assembly on Tuesday, 26th August, suspended the member representing Ayamelum State Constituency, Hon Bernard Udemezue, over what they described as gross misconduct from the lawmaker.
Reeling out the recommendations to the House, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, said in view of the evidence/documents so relied upon, the summary of facts and the Committee’s obvious observations; the following recommendations became imperative;
‘That as Hon members, certain behaviour should not be seen to be exhibited by us as this no doubt ridicules the institution we represent; hence Hon. Bernard Udemezue is mandated to issue a public apology to;
‘The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly – Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze; and members of the 8th Assembly
He said the apology should be sent to Hon Udemezue’s social media handles, WhatsApp. Facebook, etc.; as well as a written apology to house members within Five working days.
On the heavy allegation linking the State Government to the kidnap of the late. Hon. Justice Azuka, and the alleged impeachment plot leading to his subsequent murder, the Committee recommended that the State Commissioner of Police and the Director, State Security Services, Anambra State, be communicated to investigate the allegations as Hon. Udemezue had proven to have vital information that would aid the investigation; that Hon Udemezue be suspended for a period not exceeding three months without pay for what they described as unparliamentry actions which had affected and dented the image of the Legislature.
The Committee said the suspension of three months was for the first instance and could be reviewed if necessary, especially if the resolutions of the House were not adhered to by Hon Udemezue and or if such unparliamentary actions continued.
The Committee also recommended that Udemezue should be subjected to various special sessions, training and or workshop on right parliamentary ethics, practice and duties; that members should conduct themselves properly as being guided by the Standing Orders of the House, especially in public places; that the social media space was not and could not be an approved means or approach to conducting legislative business, especially for a legislator; that Hon Udemezue should not been seen within the State House of Assembly Complex for the period of the suspension.
