The lift on the suspension was announced by the speaker, Iheanacho Ihim, during Tuesday’s plenary in Owerri
The speaker said the matter was resolved after an interface at an executive session The Imo House of Assembly has lifted the suspension placed on five of its members, who were suspended in November 2018, for alleged unparliamentary conduct.
The speaker, Iheanacho Ihim announced their recall during Tuesday’s plenary in Owerri. Ihim said the matter was resolved after an interface at an executive session, saying that the members have been fully readmitted.
The Speaker had on April 11 invited the suspended members to an interface at the executive session of April 16 to discuss their possible readmission.
He issued the invitation following a motion by Chika Madumere (AGAP-Nkwerre) at plenary.
A state High Court had on November 5, 2018 quashed the suspension of four of the five members, describing it as unconstitutional.
The court also jointly awarded the applicants, Dr Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru-APC), Mr Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano- APGA), Mr Israel Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli-APC) and Mr Nkenna Nzeruo (Oru East-APC) N8 million in damages and 100,000 in legal fees.
The judge, Justice Goddy Anunihu in his ruling also directed the Speaker and the house who were the first and second respondents to pay the applicants their salaries, allowances and emoluments for the period they were suspended.
However, the judgment was ignored by the house leadership which appealed against it.
This development was announced by the electoral body on Tuesday, April 16, via a statement signed by Mallam Mohammed Haruna who is the national commissioner and member of INEC information and voter education committee.
INEC had set up a committee to look into the claim of electoral misconduct in the February election.
While the committee has concluded its work, the electoral body said further action has been suspended following an ex parte order.
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