THE Delta State House of Assembly has suspended Matthew Omonade for 14 legislative days for alleged gross misconduct.

Omonade, who represents Ughelli North 1 State Constituency, is a loyalist of last year’s governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress  (APC) in Delta State.

The suspension order, which was officially pronounced by the Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor, during plenary on Tuesday, may 14, was sequel to a motion on the floor of the House by the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi (Aniocha North), supported by the Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro (Sapele) and unanimously adopted by the House, alleging that Omonade had willfully and falsely perverted the proceedings of the House of Wednesday, May 8, this year.

This, Nwaobi stated, violates the Standing Order and Rules of the House; hence the need for his suspension.

The motion, entitled ‘Motion Of Breach Of Privilege,’ read:

“Whereas, Order V1 Rule 19(1) of the Standing Orders of the House provides for the rights enjoyed by the House collectively and by members of the House individually, as conferred by the House of Assembly ( Powers and Privileges) Law, CapH6, Laws of Delta State, 2008.

“Whereas, It is an offence under the House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Law, Cap H6 Laws of Delta State, 2008 for any person to willfully publish any false or perverted report of any debate or proceedings of the House or a committee or willfully misrepresent any speech made by a member in the House or a committee; and

“Whereas, it is an offence for any person to publish any defamatory statement reflecting on the proceedings or character of the House.

“Whereas, the honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency willfully and falsely perverted the proceedings of the House of Wednesday, 8th May, 2024.

“Therefore, I move that: 1. The honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency be now suspended from the service of the House for a period of 14 (fourteen) legislative days for gross misconduct.

“2. The honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 state Constituency hands over to the management of the House all government properties in his possession.

“3. An ad-hoc committee be constituted to investigate the gross misconduct by the honourable member representing Ughelli North 1State Constituency.”

Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the Speaker pronounced the lawmaker suspended for a period 14 legislative days, saying: “Distinguished colleagues, the honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency is hereby suspended by this honourable House for 14 legislative days.

“By the provisions of the House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Law, Cap H6 Laws of Delta State, 2008, and the Standing Orders of the House, the honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House for the period of the suspension.

“The honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency should immediately return to the management, all government properties in his possession, including the official vehicle.”

The Speaker then directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort Omonade out of the Hallowed Chamber and announced a five-man ad-hoc committee to investigate the alleged gross misconduct, with Nwaobi as Chairman.

Other members include Umukoro; Deputy Chief Whip, Fred Martins; Minority Whip, Alapala Ebitonmo; member representing Ika North East, Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, while Deputy Clerk (Legislative), D.S. Olorogun is to serve as Secretary.