Ekiti House suspends another member

From Wole Balogun, Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State House of Assembly has suspended another member, Fajana Ojo-Ade, for 101 legislative days without pay, “except he shows signs of genuine remorse.”

On suspension, Ojo-Ade, representing Ekiti-East Constituency 1, is also barred within one kilometre radius of the assembly complex and must submit property of the assembly in his custody to the Clerk of the House.

In a signed statement released in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, yesterday, Chairman of the Committee on Information, Samuel Omotoso, said the suspension came into force after the disciplinary committee set up by Speaker Kola Oluwawole, to investigate Ojo-Ade submitted its report at plenary. Omotoso said Ojo-Ade appeared twice at the sitting of the disciplinary committee in the last two weeks where he defended himself on allegations of gross misconduct, financial impropriety, failed attempt at removing the speaker, violence and physical attack on members, as well as bringing the name of the House to disrepute.

Omotoso stated further that the committee, in its report, said: “Whereas Ojo-Ade, having been found guilty of gross misconduct against the House of Assembly, hereby committed an offence by breaching the extant rules and standing orders of this House.”

He said the House, at its plenary yesterday, unanimously approved the recommendations of the disciplinary committee and suspended Ojo-Ade.