Checks revealed that 22 of the 24 members of the House of Assembly, who signed the impeachment notice, had listed abuse of office and disobedience to the lawful directives of the governor as the deputy governor’s offences.
The motion for the impeachment notice was moved by the Leader of the House and member representing Awgu North Constituency, Mr S.K. Ude-Okoye and seconded by the deputy leader and member representing Uzo-Uwani, Mr. John Ukuta. The member representing Aninri, Mathias Ekweremadu, was the only member that did not sign the notice.
Reading out the impeachment notice entitled: “Notice of Allegation of Gross Misconduct in the Performance of the Functions of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr Sunday Onyebuchi,” on the floor of the House, yesterday, Ude-Okoye, who sponsored the impeachment notice with 21 other members, said the House was doing so under the powers vested on it by Section 188(1) -(9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He said: “Between February 2013 and February 2014, the deputy governor wrongfully deployed the resources of his office and exercised the powers thereof to resist and ridicule the implementation of a public health policy of the government of Enugu State,” adding that Onyebuchi, therefore, abused his office.
He noted that by the resolution of the Enugu State House of Assembly at its plenary on February 12, 2013, the House prohibited the maintenance and operation of commercial livestock and poultry farms within residential neighbourhoods in Enugu metropolis in promotion of public health standards, which resolution was accepted by the government for implementation.
“Notwithstanding the said resolution, the deputy governor continued to maintain and operate a commercial poultry farm within the premises of his official residential quarters; and further refused to carry out the directives of the relevant officials of the government, who visited his official premises to monitor compliance with the said resolution.
“Consequent upon the intimation of the relevant officials of the government by the deputy governor in respect of the aforesaid, the governor of Enugu State (hereinafter referred to as the governor) via letters with reference numbers: GHE/CAO/31/239 and GHE/CAO/31/240 dated 24/12/2013 and 27/12/2013 respectively, directed the deputy governor to relocate the commercial poultry farm out of the premises of his official residential quarters, which is also within the general premises of the Government House, Enugu, and adjacent to the governor’s office. The deputy governor further defied the directive herein, and in a most discourteous manner and in utter disregard of the office of the governor, responded via his letter dated 8/1/2014, insisting that he would not relocate his commercial poultry farm from the premises of his official residential quarters.
“When the government through the appropriate ministries and departments relocated the birds and cleared the premises of the noxious stench emanating therefrom, the deputy governor wrongfully deployed the resources and powers of his office as deputy governor to invite the press and openly castigated the government and her officials, thereby impugning and denigrating the authority and office of the governor, and embarrassing the government.”
The Speaker of the House, Mr. Eugene Odoh, said the matter was not one to be thrown open for debate, particularly as the deputy governor had not been seen or heard as required by the constitution.
He later put the matter to voice vote and the majority of the members supported that it be served on the deputy governor.
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