The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Thursday
suspended one of its members, Gboyega Aribisogan, for 180 legislative days, for
allegedly being disloyal to Governor Ayo Fayose, and for associating with
“opposition elements”.
The lawmaker, who is the former chairman, House
Information Committee, was also barred from holding any position of
responsibility in the house during the period of his suspension.
All benefits associated with his office were also
suspended, just was barred from the assembly complex.
“His conducts henceforth will determine further
actions on him,” the house declared.
The suspension was sequel to the adoption of the
report and recommendations of a seven-member Ad Hoc panel constituted by the
Speaker of the House, Kolawole Oluwawole, which was submitted to the Ethics and
Privileges Committee.
The panel investigated allegations of “gross
misconduct and acts capable of destabilising the House” made against Mr.
Aribisogan by the House Leader, Tunji Akinyele.
Samuel Omotosho, who is now the new chairman of the
house committee on information, told journalists on Thursday that Mr. Akinyele
had “unholy alliance” with those who had constituted themselves as enemies of
the state government and presented false information for pecuniary gains and
cast aspersions on the house.
He said the action of Mr. Aribisogan was capable of
destabilising the peace and orderliness of the state.
The chairman of the Ethics
Committee, Fajana Ojoade, said after thorough investigation, it was established
that Mr. Aribisogan committed the offence.
Mr. Ojoade said the Deputy
Speaker, Segun Adewumi, confirmed both in writing and orally that Mr.
Aribisogan confessed to him at a popular hotel in Ado Ekiti on the evening of
Friday, September 30 that he did meet with some elements that were against the
State Government in Lagos “in a manner that has rubbished the integrity and
confidence that the Ekiti people have in the State House of Assembly”.
“Instead of showing remorse
and apologising for his embarrassing actions despite all overwhelming
evidences, Hon. Aribisogan persisted in his shallow denials,” he said.
“It is hereby determined
and declared that Hon. Aribisogan is guilty of these allegations and should be
punished adequately to minimize the bad image his shady movements and conducts
have caused this honourable house, while also serving as deterrent to others,”
he said.
The house also resolved
that Mr. Aribisogan’s office should remain sealed throughout the period of the
suspension and that he should submit all properties of the House of Assembly to
the Clerk.
Responding to the
allegations, Mr. Aribisogan denied the allegation, saying it was designed to
tarnish his image.
“The so-called audio was a
superimposed voice-over to tarnish my reputation,” he said.
“At the panel’s sitting,
there was a presentation of inaudible voiceover claiming that they recognized
my voice and I discarded it as a cheap blackmail.”
...Premiumtimes
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