Bayelsa Deputy Governor Impeached
San Francisco, June 24, (THEWILL) - The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State in Southern Nigeria, Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi was today impeached by the State House of Assembly following the report of a panel of investigation set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri. T
The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Werinipre Seibarugu announced on the floor that the investigative panel set up by the Chief Judge was ready and that the document had been submitted to the House.
Honourable Jonathan Obuebite, who is representing Nembe constituency I, subsequently moved for the adoption of the report of the Panel.
He told the House that "it is no longer story but truism that on the 1st of June 2010, 17 members of the Assembly had signed and served the State Deputy Governor, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi an impeachment notice."
He stated that the notice followed allegations of gross misconduct by Ebebi, noting that the House subsequently directed the State Chief Judge to set up a probe Panel.
Obuebite called on his colleagues to adopt the report of the Panel as a resolution of the House, saying that the Panel had done a wonderful job in their assignment.
"I hereby move for the adoption of the report of the Panel which had found the Deputy Governor guilty of gross misconduct in the allegations against him," he said.
The motion was subsequently seconded by Hon. Fini Angaye, representing Kolokuma/Opokuma constituency II.
Ruling on the motion, Speaker Seibarugu said that the adoption of the Panel’s report had finally paved the way to end the impeachment procedures even as he asked for permission of members to vote for or against the adoption.
Subsequently, 18 of the 24-member House making two-third voted unanimously to remove Ebebi.
THEWILL recalls that same Deputy Governor who as Speaker in 2005 removed the then Governor of the state, Chief Depreye Alameseigha from office through impeachment.
"By the adoption of the report of the investigative Panel, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi is hereby impeached by the signature of 18 members of this House, that is two-third majority, and so he is hereby removed from office," Seibarugu thundered.