Ekpo Okemin, Umuahia
The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Barrister Chikwendu Kalu is at the brink of loosing the seat following revelations that the Nigerian Bar Association had found him guilty of alleged professional misconduct in 2013.
Kalu, who represents Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, is reported to have among other allegations in 2007 converted to his personal use the sum of N1.2 million belonging to his client without any instruction.
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers, chaired by Mr. J. B. Dauda, SAN, with five others as members, as the report indicated, had on 9thSeptember found the embattled speaker guilty of the allegations.
In its decision, the committee directed the chief registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to strike out the name of the speaker who assumed office on December 28, 2016 following the resignation of Kennedy Njoku as the speaker of the House, from the roll of legal practitioners.
Meanwhile, six stakeholders from the constituency have in a press statement entitled “Recall action against Mr. Chikwendu Kalu, member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly” called on him to resign from the office immediately.
They expressed deep worry and shock that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, had not uttered a word in respect of the revelation which they described as a shameful scandal, adding the whole world now view Abia state with utmost scandal.
“The good people of the Isiala Ngwa South Constituency have decided not to fold their hands in lamentation. Having made such terrible mistake as to send a … to represent us at the Abia House of Assembly, it also behooves us to take steps to rectify our mistake,” they said.
Further they said, “We therefore call on him not to wait to be recalled but gather whatever is left of his tattered honor, reputation and conscience by voluntarily resigning his position as member representing the good people of the Isiala Ngwa State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly.”
When contacted on the telephone, Kalu confirmed the matter, which he said is now before court of competent jurisdiction, but declined making further comments on it as such action would amount to sub judice.
Njoku, representing Osisioma State Constituency, assumed the office on December 27, 2016, following the impeachment of the Speaker of the 6th Session of the House, Barrister Martin Azubuike of Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency only to resign the following morning.
