Five lawmakers suspended by the Imo State House of Assembly have been recalled.
They were recalled during a plenary on Tuesday, which was presided over by the Speaker, Acho Ihim.
The recalled lawmakers were Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano), Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru), Ifeanyi Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli), Donatus Onuigwe (Oru West), and Kenna Nzeruo (Oru West).
The Speaker, who announced the development, said that the recalled lawmakers were invited for an interaction during an executive session.
The lawmakers were, in October 2018, suspended by their colleagues in what was described as “unparliamentary” conduct.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Speaker had, on April 11, invited the suspended members to an interface at the executive session of April 16 to discuss their possible readmission.
He issued the invitation following a motion by Mr. Chika Madumere (AGAP-Nkwerre) at plenary.
A state High Court had, on November 5, 2018, quashed the suspension of four of the five members, describing it as unconstitutional.
The court also jointly awarded the applicants — Dr. Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru-APC); Mr. Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano-APGA); Mr. Israel Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli-APC); and Mr. Nkenna Nzeruo (Oru East-APC) N8m in damages and N100,000 in legal fees.
The judge, Justice Goddy Anunihu, in his ruling, also directed the Speaker and the House who were the first and second respondents to pay the applicants their salaries, allowances and emoluments for the period they were suspended.
However, the judgment was ignored by the House leadership which appealed against it.
