A suspended member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Bernard Udemezue, representing Ayamelum Constituency, was on Wednesday forced out of the legislative chambers after attempting to resume plenary despite being under sanction.
Udemezue, who was suspended four months ago for allegedly leaking details of lawmakers’ earnings on social media, arrived at the Assembly for Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
He was placed on a three-month suspension for what the House leadership considered a breach of internal procedure.
Ahead of the governor’s arrival, security operatives, including the Police, DSS, and NSCDC, took positions around the complex.
Commissioners, special advisers, media aides, heads of MDAs, traditional rulers, party members, and civil society groups were already seated for the budget session.
Tension rose when Deputy Speaker Chukwuma Okoye and Oyi Constituency lawmaker Innocent Ojike, accompanied by security personnel, approached Udemezue and escorted him out of the chambers.
The House leadership also went to the public gallery to eject the lawmaker’s supporters who had accompanied him.
Sources within the Assembly told DAILY GAZETTE that Udemezue was removed because he did not follow the stipulated procedure for resumption after suspension, despite the expiration of the three-month ban.
Reacting to the incident, Udemezue insisted he complied with all requirements for his return, including submission of formal letters to the appropriate authorities before appearing in the chamber.
