Edo Assembly resumes, receives Okpebholo’s nominees, clears former Speaker

After two weeks of recess to allow the completion of pending committee assignments, the Edo State House of Assembly on Monday reconvened plenary with a busy agenda that included executive correspondence, legislative debates, and committee reports.

On resumption, the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Yahaya Audu Omogbai, read two letters from the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.

In the correspondence, the Governor sought the screening and confirmation of eight commissioner-nominees.

Those nominated are: Barr. Nosa Adams, Yakubu Musa, Dr. Felix Akhabue, Engr. Omorodion Ikponwosa, Ohimai Ehigimetor, Eugenia Abdallah, Godwin Eshieshi, and Kassim Afegbua.

Following the reading, the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, referred the Governor’s requests to the House Committee on Rules, Business, and Government House for further legislative action.

The Speaker further announced the constitution of an ad hoc committee to monitor ongoing projects across the state as part of the Assembly’s oversight responsibilities.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Adeh Isibor Emakhu (Esan North-East I), includes Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu (Esan West), Hon. Osamwoyi Atu (Orhionmwon I), Hon. Richard Edosa Osaro (Oredo West), Hon. Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon II), Hon. Kingsley Ugabi (Etsako East), and Hon. Yekini Idaiye (Akoko-Edo I).

The committee is expected to report back to the House in due course.

In other proceedings, the Assembly confirmed the nomination of Hon. Kabiru Adjoto as Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission.

A former Speaker of the House, Adjoto was asked to “take a bow” in recognition of his legislative experience.

Lawmakers also considered, at second reading, a Bill seeking to repeal the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal Law of 2015 and re-establish the Customary Court of Appeal.

Leading the debate, Majority Leader Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu argued that the legislation would strengthen the justice system, particularly at the grassroots, by ensuring effective resolution of communal and customary disputes.

Supporting the Bill were Minority Leader Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, former Deputy Speaker Hon. Marie Edeko, Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Adeh Isibor, and Hon. Eugene Inegbeboh.

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All agreed that the proposed law was timely and necessary for enhancing justice delivery and sustaining the judiciary at the customary level.

The Speaker thereafter committed the Bill to the Committee on Judiciary for further fine-tuning.

Agbebaku also congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its victories in the weekend by-elections, which saw Dr. Joe Ikpea emerge as Senator-elect for Edo Central District and Barr. Omosede Igbinedion elected as Member of the House of Representatives for Ovia Federal Constituency.

He commended voters across the seven local government areas where elections were held, stressing that their choice reflected confidence in the APC’s leadership.

The House, however, adjourned sitting to Tuesday, August 19, 2025, following a motion moved by Idaiye and seconded by Hon. Nicholas Asonsere (Ikpoba-Okha).

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