ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Thursday pardoned and reinstated the suspended Clerk of the House, Mr. Owudogu Edward Kozigena, after eight months.
Kozigena was suspended in November last year for allegedly taking a unilateral decision without the consideration of the House.
Hon. Bernard Kenibai, representing Ekeremor Constituency 2 moved the motion to adopt the report of the Ad Hoc Committee set up by the House to investigate the allegations against Kozigena during the committee of the Whole House.
It was seconded by Hon. Ted Elemoforo representing Yenagoa Constituency 2.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, after the adoption of the Ad hoc Committee’s report by members, said Kozigena had been pardoned and reinstated to his office as the substantive Clerk of the House.
Addressing journalists after the sitting, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Tare Porri, said the former suspended clerk unilaterally carried out some assignments of the Assembly without proper consultations with the leadership of the House.
He said it was that action that warranted the suspension and thereafter an ad hoc committee was set up to look critically into the issues and witnesses were called to verify some of the allegations.
Porri further said the suspended Clerk tendered an official apology to the leadership and members of the House.
He stated: “The Speaker in his wisdom said Kozigena had learnt his lesson and this is the time to look at the issues critically and today we have decided to recall him knowing that he has also done the needful by apologizing and promising it will not happen again.
“This will serve as deterrent to others in the institution that despite the Speaker’s age and his disposition, it is an office everyone should respect. The 24 members should be respected at all times inasmuch as we are also respecting the staff of the Assembly.”