Imo Assembly expunges ex-speaker’s impeachment from legislative records

The Imo House of Assembly has expunged the impeachment of its former Speaker, Mr Collins Chiji (APC- Isiala Mbano), from its legislative records and replaced it with “resignation”.

The action was part of the resolutions of the house on Thursday.

The resolution followed a motion by Chiji appealing for a conversion of his impeachment to resignation.

He also requested that every record of the impeachment be expunged from the legislative records.

He particularly appealed to the Speaker, Mr Kennedy Ibe, to consider his request favourably in the spirit of the Easter celebration.

Supporting the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, said that Chiji had shown remorse and maturity by his actions and dedication to his legislative duties.

He, therefore, supported that the impeachment be deleted from the assembly’s legislative records for the sake of his political career.

Also, Mr Chigozie Nwaneri (APC), representing Oru East, said that Chiji took his impeachment with equanamity and in goodfaith and had continued to support the house.

Following contributions and a unanimous vote in favour of the motion, the speaker ruled that the impeachment be expunged from the assembly’s legislative records.

He also directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Chinelo Emeghara, to communicate the resolution to Chiji in writing.

Chiji was impeached in November 2020 for financial impropriety, parliamentary ineptitude and gross incompetence.

Meanwhile, the speaker has extended the assembly’s felicitations for the Easter celebration to the people of the state.

He prayed for peace and forgiveness among the residents in the spirit of the season.
The house later adjourned sitting to May 24.