Allegation of failed plot to divert to personal use, palliative from Imo Government by Orlu APC Local Government Chairman, Hon Stanley Nwosu( Ochinawata) against member representing Orlu State Constituency, Dr Barr Ikenna Ihezuo has taken another dimension as Imo State House of Assembly has summoned the Watchdog Newspaper which disseminated the report.
Watchdog Newspaper had on its banner headline of June 4 2024 accused the Hon member of failed attempt to convert 65 Bags of Rice meant for the Constituency.
The report which received condemnation from the People of Orlu was refuted by the said House member who succinctly narrated what actually happened.
The said clarification which was done in Lead Express of Wednesday 5th June however indicted the APC LGA Chairman of Orlu as the actual person that failed to divert the said Palliative.
Furious with the said publication, the Imo State House of Assembly at its plenary last Thursday June 6th, summoned the Watchdog Newspaper to appear before the House on Tuesday 11th June 2024.
The House made the summon following a complaint by the aggrieved lawmaker during plenary.
Hon Ihezuo, who cited Order on Privilege, Order 6 R, 28 Sub. R 5 complained about the violation of his Privileges in the discharge of his legislative duties described the publication as not only injurious to his personality but an affornt to his person and integrity.
According to the lawmaker, who is also the House Committee Chairman on House Services, “It is a Complaint against a Newspaper Publication against my person by the Orlu LGA Party Chairman, Mr Stanley Chinedu Nwosu, who goes by the name ‘Ochinanwata’, conspired with the Publisher of the Nigerian Watchdog Newspaper, Mr Precious Nwadike, who contested against me in the last State House Of Assembly election, whom I flatly defeated, at the polls, at the tribunals and at the Court of Appeal”
Feeling very sad, Hon Ihezuo said, “The effects of the Publication has defamed my person, and my estimation lowered in the eyes and minds of my colleagues, staff and right thinking members of the public, especially, my constituents from Orlu State Constituency, Imo State and Nigerians”.
Before tendering the said Newspaper Edition as Exhibit, Hon Ikenna Ihezuo who further said, “ If this matter is not properly handled, the entire Legislative Arm will be negatively affected”, called on the House to summon the Publisher, Editor and Author to appear with evidence to support their publication.
The following lawmakers supported the prayers with submissions:
Rt Hon Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh (Obowo),
Rt Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri-west),
Hon Barrister Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba (Isu),
Others include, Hon Barrister Chief Dominic Ezerioha (Oru-west)
Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano),
Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise),
Hon Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu (Oguta),
Satisfied with submissions from the lawmakers, the Speaker Of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, directed the injured lawmaker, Hon Ikenna Martin Ihezuo, to lay the Newspaper where the defamatory article was published on the table. Thereafter, Mr Speaker directed the Clerk Of the House to invite the Newspaper Publisher, the Newspaper Editor and the Author of the report to a meeting with the House on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
