Imo assembly impeaches deputy speaker, recalls six suspended lawmakers

Amara Iwuanyanwu, deputy speaker of the Imo state house of assembly, has been removed from office.

Iwuanyanwu was removed from office on Tuesday in plenary after Ekene Nnodim, lawmaker representing Orlu state constituency, presented a petition.

The petition was signed by 18 out of the 27 lawmakers of the Imo assembly.

The session was reportedly held under tight security.

Iwuanyanwu is the second deputy speaker in the ninth assembly of Imo. Okey Onyekanma, member representing Mbaitoli LGA, was initially the deputy speaker but resigned after Hope Uzodimma assumed office as governor.

Paul Emeziem, the speaker, also announced the recall of six lawmakers who had been suspended for three months.

“Honourable members, as a follow-up to the decision of the house, I will like to use this opportunity to thank the honourable members who have deemed it necessary to bring back our brothers and colleagues who have been on suspension for three months,” Emeziem said.

“On the other hand, I would also like to express my candid appreciation to our suspended friends and colleagues who all through this period remained law-abiding and showed reasonable sense of remorse.

“While thanking and appreciating our members on the above grounds, I would like to also use this opportunity to appeal to all of us to toe the path of love and peace amongst all.”