There was tension in Imo State on Thursday as policemen, soldiers and officials of the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps took over the state House of Assembly complex in Owerri.
The development follows speculation that some lawmakers numbering about 19 had perfected plan to remove the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Acho Ihim; and his deputy, Ugonna Ozurigbo, during plenary.
The security agents barricaded all the complex’s entry and exit gates.
Only the state lawmakers, journalists and the House of Assembly’s workers were allowed entry into the compound.
During plenary, the Speaker directed that five suspended lawmakers be invited to interface with other lawmakers on April 16 during an executive session.
He gave the directive after Chika Madumere (Nkwerre) moved a motion for the recall of the five suspended lawmakers.
A court in the state had on November 5, 2018 ,quashed the suspension of four out of the five suspended lawmakers.
The court, which described the suspension as illegal, awarded the applicants, Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru APC), Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano APC), Israel Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli) and Nkenna Nzeruo (Oru East APC) N8m in damages and N100,000 in legal fees.
The court directed the leadership of the legislature to pay the applicants their salaries, allowances and emoluments for the period they were unlawfully suspended.
