Ex-Edo speaker returns controversial SUV

By Patrick Ahanor

Benin City

Embattled former speaker of the Edo state House of Assembly and representative of Uhunwmonde Constituency, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, yesterday returned the controversial SUV allegedly given to her as gift by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
The vehicle was driven into the Assembly complex by some youths from her constituency at about 10.05am.
Spokesman for the youth, Comrade Stanley Osazee Osahkuenorkhodin, said: “We have decided to return the last vehicle that the Assembly has been talking about.
“We decided to go to Lagos to get the individual that bought it and we expect them (Assembly) to recall Ativie now.”
The vehicle became a subject of controversy after the impeachment of Ativie as deputy speaker on August 22, 2017.
The female lawmaker had serve as speaker of the House between May 3, and July 2016 and later deputy speaker.
However, after her impeachment alongside other principal officers last August over alleged gross misconduct, they were afterwards suspended.
Besides, new Speaker Kabiru Adjotu ordered the affected lawmakers to return official vehicles in their possession and appear before a probe panel.
Others who complied with the directive were subsequently recalled, while Ativie had said the vehicles were given to her as gift by ex-Governor Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole had also at the time disowned the embattled female legislator and urged her to return the vehicles.
Not satisfied with the mild drama, the Assembly extended Ativie’s suspension for three months.
Speaker Adjotu and his media aide could not be reached for comments at the time of filing in this report yesterday.

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