- Calls For Arrest Of 17 Lawmakers
By Gbenga Abulude
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Mr. Don-Pedro Obaseki, has criticized the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami over his stance on the Edo Assemby crisis.
Obaseki also called for the arrest of the 17 lawmakers of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for allegedly forging a mace, while holding a parallel inauguration.
Malami had reportedly asked the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to provide security cover for the 17 APC members.
The politician and film maker, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Monday, said the Attorney- General’s position was to favour the ruling party.
He said a treasonable offense was committed while swearing the members-elect outside of the assembly by “forging a mace” used during their inauguration.
Obaseki said, “I will state clearly that Mr. Malami has shown himself as a law officer, as a most-partisan one who decides to speak depending on what part of the (political) party divide he is on. What he has done is a flagrant abuse of the law.
According to him, the original mace is still with the Speaker of the House, Hon. Francis Okiye who has been impeached by the newly sworn-in 17 APC Lawmakers in Edo backed by Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami.
He called for the arrest of the 17 members of the House for allegedly forging a mace.
He said: “They have gone to forge a mace. When you forge a mace, you are forcefully taking over a part of the government.That is treasonable. The original mace still lies with the Speaker, Mr Okiye. The Department of State Service should go and arrest them. They are a threat to the state.”
Recall that 14 APC members-elect loyal to former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole held a parallel inauguration where they were sworn in last Thursday, August 6 at an unknown location.
Also, three other lawmakers who dumped Obaseki joined the 14 to purportedly impeach the speaker, Hon. Francis Okiye and his deputy. They elected Hon.Victor Edoror as their speaker.
