By Mohammad Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Kebbi State House of Assembly, in Northwest Nigeria have impeached its Speaker, Hassan Muhammed Shalla and his Deputy Mohammed Ja’afaru for alleged breach of trust.
They also accused them of embezzlement of allowances of some House Members.
The impeachment motion was moved by Aminu Gunbi from Yauri constituency and seconded by Aliyu Mutubare from Kalgo constituency.
The Speaker, his Deputy and 10 others were absent during the impeachment sitting presided over by Abubakar Sabo of Birnin Kebbi North constituency.
It was gathered that there were 12 out of 24 members of the house in attendance and all supported the impeachment.
Another motion was immediately moved by Bala Danbaba Waje from Dank/Wasagu West constituency, seconded by Mohammed Dantani Yellow from Shanga constituency appointing Habib Musa Jega as the new Speaker and Mohammed Bena as Deputy.
Director Legislative, Mohammed Usman admitted oath of office to the new Speaker and his Deputy in the absence of the Clerk.
The impeached Speaker, Mr. Shalla while reacting described his impeachment as ridiculous and rebellious.
“Musa Jega and his Deputy who were impeached last year have ceased to be members of the House because they decamped to another party and their seat was declared vacant since then.
“Their sitting was illegal going by the fact that the entire House was on recess till next month. The mace with which they used is not the authentic Assembly mace which is in the custody of the Clerk to the House.
The new Speaker Mr. Jega, when contacted, insisted that the house legally convened after two weeks recess on Tuesday.
The impeached speaker Shalla from Gwandu constituency and his Deputy Ja’afaru from Zuru constituency, both lost their re-election bids to APC in the last election.