…As they begins Investigation on Assault against Godwin Abraham
By Etim Homage
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today announced the suspension of the Executive Chairman Abak Local Government Area, Barr Imoh Williams for an allegation levelled against him on Gross Misconduct and Assault on one Mr. Godwin Abraham whom he contracted decoration works since 2016.
The matter was brought to the House as matter of urgent Importance by The Member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo, Rt Hon Uduak Odudoh asking that the House should suspend the said Executive Chairman for not apologizing to the victim meaning that the act was deliberately performed.
Speaking on the matter, The Deputy Speaker and Member representing Okobo State Constituency, Rt. Hon Felicia Bassey who condemn the action of the Executive chairman of Abak stressing that if nothing is done more will happen stressing that the Chairman should be brought forward to the house for interogation and if found quilty proper purnishment should be given.
Also speaking on the issue, The member representing Eket State Constituency, Rt Hon David Lawrence said the action doesn’t depict the action of a true Akwa Ibom person rather it was a gross misconduct and assault on the victim stressing that the action is not in support of the philosophy of the Executive Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel and therefore supported that the Chairman be suspended pending when the investigation would be completed.
The member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Aniekan Uko who spoke in support of the motion stressed that the Akwa Ibom people are known be disciplined and therefore supported the motion that the Chairman be suspended for now while investigation is ongoing.
In the same spirit, The member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, Rt Hon Usoro Akpanusoh said that the chairman must be invited for questioning while doing so he must be suspended stressing that the allegation against him involves security threat.
In his opinion, The Member representing Etinan State Constituency, Rt Hon (Barr) Aniefiok Dennis drew the attention of the House to Section 128, 129 of the constitution of Nigeria, and House order 7 rule 9 of the Assembly stressing that the House of Assembly has the needed powers to suspend the Executive Chairman while investigation is ongoing saying that the chairman must be heard in line with the law. According to him he mentioned those sections of the laws to correct the speculations from the masses questioning the competency of the State Assembly in the suspension of an Executive Chairman and finally supported the motion that the chairman be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Speaker thereafter stressed that the Executive Chairman be given fair hearing calling for the suspension of the Chairman urging the Vice Chairman Hon. Benita Ukpe to take over as the acting Chairman and finally referred the matter to the committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The motion was duly moved and seconded by The House Leader and member representing Oruk Anam and Member representing Ibesikpo Asutan, Rt Hon Aniekan Uko respectively.
The House was adjourned till 10th September, 2019.
