Impeached Edo deputy speaker refuses to return official cars, says they are gifts
- The Edo state house of assembly speaker who was impeached has vowed not to return her official cars
- Mrs Elizabeth Ativie insists that the cars were gifts from former governor Adams Oshiomole
- Her lawyer also stated that since the cars were hers, she had already sold one
The deputy speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Elizabeth Ativie, has vowed not to return her official cars after she was removed.
Ativie representing Igueben constituency and Dr Justin Okonoboh, were impeached on Monday, August 14, by 19 out of the 24 members of the House. Also, majority leader, Foly Ogedengbe, was also removed for “incompetence”.
According to Ativie, the vehicles were given to her as gifts by a former governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
Kabiru Adjoto, the new speaker had directed the clerk of the House, James Omoataman, to retrieve the vehicles and other official items with the impeached principal officers before the close of work on Tuesday, August 15.
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However, according to Punch, when the clerk sent her a letter of reminder, Ativie claimed the vehicles, comprising a 2016 Lexus jeep, one Prado jeep and two Hilux vans, were officially given to her for personal use by Oshiomhole.
The lawmaker, in a letter to the clerk dated August 16 signed by her lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi, stated that Oshiomhole had in a letter he personally signed on June 19, 2016, given the vehicles to her in acknowledgement of the sacrifices she was expected to make for the peace, security and well-being of the state.
She stated that Adjoto, who was then the chief whip, led the delegation of the House to the executive arm of government where the decision to give her the vehicles was taken and implemented.
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Her lawyer said: “After the vehicles were given, our client went to the licence office with the said letter and registered the vehicles in her name.
“In the exercise of her bona fide right of ownership, our client has sold one of the vehicles (Lexus jeep, 2016 model)."
Legit.ng earlier reported that a video of Edo House of Assembly members beating each other after the speaker's impeachment went viral.
Watch this video of what politicians have to say about the state of the nation:
Source: Legit.ng
