Ebonyi State House of Assembly on Wednesday ordered
the arrest and prosecution of the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area in
the state, Clement Odah, for allegedly slapping the Assembly Committee Chairman
on Information, Hon. Chinedu Onah.
Following a motion moved by the Assembly Leader,
Victor Chukwu, the lawmakers unanimously adopted the resolution for the arrest
of the council chairman.
Odah was accused of attacking the lawmaker as a
result of an altercation that ensued between them over the non-screening of
four nominees from the council area.
Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly, Hon. Benjamin
Ezekoma, said the council Chairman, Odah, a constituent of Onah, who represents
Ohaukwu South constituency, was said to have arrived at the assembly complex,
moved to the committee room of the Assembly and confronted the lawmaker.
Ezekoma, who addressed journalists beside the
chambers of the Assembly, explained that Odah’s action as a council boss is an
assault on the legislature, not only to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly but
across the world.
Ezekoma, who witnessed the incident, said they were
in a committee meeting over budget defence by ministries and agencies when the
council chairman stormed the complex of assembly.
Investigations at the assembly complex revealed
that the fracas had connection with the list of management committee members
for the council areas.
Odah was said to have suspected that Onah, who
represents his constituency in the Assembly, dropped the name of one of his
nominees, so questioned why a lawmaker he made could turn around against him.
Odah, in his reaction, said he was at the Assembly
over four of their nominees for the management committee, saying: "I asked
Onah that he has the responsibility of protecting interest of his people, I
couldn’t have slapped him.”
Onah said he was embarrassed but had to remain a
responsible legislator at least for the dignity of legislature.
He said he would be comfortable with whatever stand
the House of Assembly takes.
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