Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: House of Assembly

  • Court Halts Impeachment Move Against Rivers Governor Fubara

    Court Halts Impeachment Move Against Rivers Governor Fubara

    A Rivers State High Court in Oyigbo has issued a temporary injunction restraining the House of Assembly from proceeding with impeachment steps against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, pending determination of a suit challenging the process.

    Reports indicate heightened political tension, shifting allegiances among lawmakers, and increased security around the Assembly complex as rival factions contest institutional control.

    Echotitbits take: The crisis has moved decisively into the courts. The injunction buys time, but governance risk persists until political actors find a durable settlement beyond litigation.

    Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/850064-court-stops-impeachment-move-against-fubara-deputy.html (January 17, 2026)

    Photo Credit: Premium Times

  • Suspended Kwara Lawmaker Saba Gideon Challenges Illegal Pay Freeze

    Suspended Kwara Lawmaker Saba Gideon Challenges Illegal Pay Freeze

    In an update published by The Punch, suspended Kwara State House of Assembly member Saba Gideon has filed a formal challenge against the ‘illegal’ freezing of his salaries and allowances. Gideon, who was suspended following a protocol dispute with the House leadership, argues that withholding his pay is a violation of his constituents’ rights and an extra-judicial punishment that exceeds the House’s disciplinary powers.

    The House of Assembly, however, defended its decision, citing a breach of internal protocol and ‘unparliamentary conduct.’ The case has drawn national attention to the power of state house speakers to ‘financially starve’ opposing members. Gideon’s legal team is seeking an immediate court injunction to restore his benefits, arguing that a suspension from sitting does not equal a termination of employment.

    Further reporting from Daily Post and Leadership tracks the legislative standoff. Daily Post reported that ‘constituents in Gideon’s district have staged protests,’ while Leadership quoted a parliamentary expert: ‘Suspending a lawmaker’s pay is a grey legal area that the courts need to clarify once and for all.’

    Echotitbits take: This is a classic ‘political bullying’ tactic seen in many state assemblies. By cutting off a lawmaker’s pay, the leadership effectively disables their ability to fund constituency projects or legal defenses. The court’s ruling on this will be a landmark for legislative independence in Nigeria.
    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/suspended-kwara-lawmaker-denies-secret-recording-slams-three-month-ban/ January 5, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Ogun Assembly passes 2020 Appropriation Amendment Bill

    Ogun Assembly passes 2020 Appropriation Amendment Bill

    Ogun State House of Assembly has passed the 2020 Appropriation (Amendment) Law which seeks to reduce the annual budget from N450 billion to N280 billion resulting in 38 per cent reduction of the initial budget.

    The passage of the bill titled: “H.B. No. 050/OG/2020 – A Bill for a Law to amend the Year 2020 Appropriation Law,” was consequent upon the presentation of the report of Ogun State House Committee on Finance and Appropriation by the Chairman, Olakunle Sobunkanla, at a plenary presided over by the Assembly Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, in Abeokuta.

    Sobunkanla thereafter moved the motion for the adoption of the report, seconded by the Minority Leader, Ganiyu Oyedeji, and supported by other lawmakers through a voice vote.

    The Assembly later considered the bill clause-by-clause before the Assembly Committee of Supplies, after which the motion for the third reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by a member representing Odeda State Constituency, Oludaisi Elemide, after which the Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Services, Deji Adeyemo, did the third reading.

    Responding, Oluomo directed that the clean copy of the bill be transmitted to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his assent.

    Meanwhile, two bills including Ogun State Energy Board Law, 2020 and Ogun State Safety Commission Law, 2020 scaled the first reading, as they were read by the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service before the lawmakers.

    By Idowu Sowunmi