Ebonyi Assembly suspends female lawmaker for 6 months

Ebonyi state House of Assembly on Tuesday slammed a fresh six months suspension of the member Representing Afikpo North East constituency in the Assembly, Hon. Maria Ude Nwachi.The decision followed the submission of the report of the ad hoc Committee that investigated the allegations of gross misconduct and possing as a public photographer.

The House had earlier slammed two weeks suspension on her following the allegations levelled against her and set up a committee to investigate the allegations against her and make recommendations to the Assembly.

She had appeared before the House committee last week where she admitted wrongdoings and appealed for forgiveness.

The Chairman of the Committee and the Member Representing Ikwo South Constituency Hon Chike Oguji while presenting the Committee’s report said Nwachi ran an illegal lottery scheme through her Facebook group known as Igboist which further degraded the image of the House.

He, however, noted that Mrs Nwachi comported herself with decorum throughout the sittings of the committee when she was invited for interrogation.“In all the sittings of the committee, Hon. Mrs Maria Ude Nwachi was invited and she honoured the committee’s invitation and conducted herself with decorum. She admitted to having displayed some ethical attitudes and conducts before the committee.

“Hon. Mrs Maria Ude Nwachi as part of our observations seems to regret her act of misconduct and other unethical behaviours that degrades the reputation and integrity of this House.

“Hon. Mrs Maria Ude Nwachi runs an illegal lottery scheme called Igboist thereby creating an environment in which she engages in fraudulent acts. Although the forum(Igboist) is not political and unintended to defraud people, the illegality and criminal nature of the scheme

destroyed the public confidence in the parliament, thus making the public to generally accuse the House of corruption, inefficiency and incompetence.“She also runs an image promotion with her  facebook account which she displays excellent performance of our dear Governor, His Excellency Engr. Dr. David Nweze Umahi.

“In two sittings of the House, Mrs. Maria Ude Nwachi admitted to be the one spotted in Imo state struggling to take photograph with other  photographers, leaving her primary duties of law making for our people”, Oguji said.

The Committee Chairman said “In the light of the foregoing going, the committee recommends that Hon. Mrs. Maria Ude Nwachi should desist from setting illegality and unethical  acts which are not suitable for a parliamentarian.

“Since the committee has not seen sufficient carriage and comportment on her side as a legislator despite series of warnings and possible corrections, a maximum period of six months suspension be given to her to assist her adopt acceptable legislative conduct”, Ogiji added.

However, there was a mild drama after the committee presented its report as the Speaker of the House Hon. Francis Nwifuru put the recommendations of the committee to votes and the Assembly members opposed the extension of the suspension for six months.But the Speaker overruled the members and pronounced the suspension.

“Hon. Maria Nwachi should desist from  setting illegality and unethical acts which  are not suitable for a parliamentarian.

“Since the committee has not seen sufficient carriage and comportment on her as legislature despite series of warning and possible correction, a  maximum period of suspension for six months should be
given to her to assist her adopt an acceptable legislative conduct.

“Maria Ude Nwachi is to face a maximum suspension period of six months starting from today the 6th day of February, 2018”, Nwifuru ruled. ENDS