By Anne Azuka
The Delta State House of Assembly, Thursday, lifted the suspension of Hon Mathew Onojighofia Omonade who represents Ughelli North 1 Constituency in the Hallowed Chamber.
With the lifting of the suspension, all the rights and privileges as a member of the 8th Delta State House of Assembly were immediately restored as announced by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.
The Lawmakers at plenary adopted the recommendations of the Adhoc Committee that investigated the alleged gross misconduct of Hon. Omonade that led to his suspension from legislative functions as a member of the Assembly.
Chairman of the Adhoc Committee and Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi while presenting the report, said among other things, that the suspended member had shown so much regret on developments that led to his suspension both in oral presentation and documented evidence before the committee.
Nwaobi stated that Hon. Omonade was remorseful of his actions which he had understood were against legislative practice and standards, and sincerely apologized for bringing the House into disrepute and disparage.
He said; “Mr Speaker, Hon Omonade has made public apology appealing to this Honourable House to temper justice with mercy for he said ‘I made a mistake and I have realized my mistake’.
“He further wrote another letter of apology dated 23rd May 2024, wherein he deeply regretted his actions and honestly pledged that the action that led to his suspension would not repeat itself again having understood the importance of maintaining a respectful and collaborative atmosphere in the House, thus dedicating to upholding the standards of the House, thereby hoping to have a positive working relationship with the leadership of the House”.
Nwaobi explained that having painstaking and exhaustively examined the issue that led to the suspension, the committee was saddened that “as a learned fellow, the Honorable Member still needs to be told that there is nothing like plagiarism in lawmaking. Laws made anywhere in the world can be domesticated in other places in the interest of the people, the state or country concerned.
“However, we hereby recommend to the House for adoption that the Honourable Member be sounded a note of warning against future occurrence of such actions that tend to undermine the integrity and sanctity of the office of the Governor and Speaker of the House.
“He should further be recommended to carefully and properly study the House Rules and by extension get understanding that laws are universal, for which reason laws made by one state or country can be domesticated in another state or country to serve the interest of the citizens without anybody from any quarter crying out for plagiarism.
“The suspension placed on the Honourable member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency, Hon Omonade Mathew Onojighofia be lifted forthwith”, Nwaobi state.
The recommendations were however subjected to further debates on the floor of the House, where some members, including Hon. Oboro Preyor of Bomadi constituency and Hon. Austin Uroye of Warri South 1 Constituency, appealed that the suspended Lawmaker be forgiven and suspension lifted as his constituents would have missed their representative in the State Legislature.
The lifting of the suspension order was unanimously adopted when put to voice votes by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, who expressed concern over the attempt to subject the sacred Assembly into public ridicule.
Guwor emphasized that in the business of lawmaking, Laws are universal and can be domesticated anywhere, even as he advised members to always be guided by the rules.
Hon. Omonade who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions is expected to resume his seat at plenary on the next adjoined date of the House.
