The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Thursday suspended its member, Dr Shehu Adamu, for six months over allegation of N180 million bribe levelled against other members.
The decision followed a motion by Alhaji Muhammad Ali, (Kawo – PDP), who drew the attention of members to an interview granted by Adamu, (Maigana-APC), where he made the allegation.
Adamu had in an interview on Sept. 23, 2013 in the electronic media and national dailies, accused members of collecting bribe of N10 million each to remove the former speaker, Usman Gangara and other principal officers.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Nov. 6, 2013 when the motion was moved by Ali, the assembly mandated its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the allegation.
The chairman of the committee, Mr Philemon Gidan-Mana, told the assembly that the defendant refused to appear before the committee after he was summoned three times.
Gidan-Mana said by the provision of the legislative Houses (power and privileges) Act 1990, Cap L12 Section 24 (1) A, B and C, the lawmaker was guilty.
“The section says, “any statement whether in writing or otherwise, which falsely or scandalously defame a legislator, House or any committee thereof shall be guilty of an offence.
“The standing penalties for misconduct by any member would result to reprimand, demotion, or withdrawal of privileges or expulsion from the House.
“The committee recommended that the house should suspend Adamu from official duties for the period of six (6) months.
“Also before he is re-admitted into the Assembly he must go back to the same electronic medium to retract his previous statement with an apology to Kaduna State legislature,” he said.
During the debate on the committee’s report, some members pleaded with the house to forgive him.
In his defence, Adamu denied the allegation, saying that he requested for the DVD to watch, so as to enable him respond but members of the committee refused to give it to him.
The Speaker, Alhaji Usman Tahir, after several debates on the matter by members, announced the suspension of Usman from the Assembly for the period of six months.
(Source: NAN)
