CCB vows to investigate Edo Assembly Clerk, Yahaya Omogbai

The Code of Conduct Bureau has vowed to investigate Edo State House of Assembly, Alhaji Audu Yahaya Omogbai over his role in denial of swearing in of 14 Edo State House of Assembly members-elect in 2012.

Chairman of the Bureau, Prof. Mohammed Isah gave the assurance, when the embattled members-elect presented a petition to him in his office detailing how the House Clerk conspired with Governor Godwin Obaseki-led APC government at that time, denying them of their political offices.

The members submitted that the action of the Assembly Clerk which has denied them of State Constituency representation was a breach of the provisions of Articles 1 and 9 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers as contained in the 5th schedule to the constitution.

They demanded that the Clerk, Omogbai should be thoroughly investigated, given that his action has denied their constituents of representation in the last two years, and six months.

The CCB Chairman after receiving the formal petition from the aggrieved members-elect said, the agency is unbiased and assured them that the petition would be looked into.

“I want to assure you that we will leave no stone unturned to make sure we get all the parties. We will ensure that all sides are heard and we’ll also reach out to all stakeholders.

“We will put our reports together and do the needful. We will not go into the political aspect, but whoever needs to be dealt with will be dealt with accordingly.

Members-elect further prayed the CCB to compel the Clerk to swear them into office saying that their denial was the height of injustice not done anywhere in the world

In doing that, they maintained, the CCB was rescuing democracy and that Edo State will not be recorded among the worst reference point in years to come.

The aggrieved members-elect were led by a former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edohor and former Commissioner for Education, Washington Osifo.

They asserted that Prof. Isah’s uprightness made him the Chairman of CCB, while they tasked him to correct the anomaly at all cost.

He said “It is in the spirit of ensuring that peoples rights are not jeopardised that we are here.”

In the petition titled, “Complaint of gross abuse of powers and the precipitation of crisis at the Edo State House of Assembly by Alhaji Audu Yahaya Omogbai-Clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly”, dated November 16, 2021, they further accused the Clerk hiding their asset declaration forms which he also used as basis for not seeing them into office, insisting that the CCB should investigate him.

Then petition was signed by Victor Sabor Edoror, Esan Central; Crosby Eribo, Egor; Washington Osa Osifo, Uhunmwode;
Christopher Ewere Okaeben, Oredo West; Seid Oshiomhole, Etsako West 1; Michael Ohio Ezomo, Owan West and Sunday Aghedo, Ovia South West.

Other signatories were Abdul Ganiyu Audu, Etsako West; Dumez Ugiagbe, Ovia North East 1; Ahmed Oshomah, Etsako Central; Eric Okaka, Owan East; Vincent Uwadiae, Ovia North East 2; Kingsley Ugabi, Etsako East and Uyiosasere Ekhosuehi, Oredo East.