Edo Assembly rejects ex-lawmaker as commissioner over DSS petition

The Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday declined to confirm a former lawmaker, Chris Okaeben, as commissioner over an alleged petition pending with the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, announced the decision during an emergency plenary session convened for the confirmation of commissioner-nominees.

While six nominees were cleared and confirmed, Okaeben, who represented Oredo West Constituency in the Assembly, was stood down.

Those confirmed include John Akhigbe, Festus Ebea, Dr. Elizabeth Ebosele, Dr. Jerry Uwangue, Dr. Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien, and Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie.

Agbebaku explained that the Assembly’s screening committee recommended Okaeben’s suspension from the process pending his clearance by the DSS.

“Six out of the seven commissioner-nominees before us today have been cleared and confirmed, except one, our former colleague, Hon. Chris Okaeben, who has a question to answer with the DSS,” the Speaker said.

“He has to report to the DSS office for clearance. Once he is cleared, there will be no problem.”
The Speaker, however, did not disclose the nature of the petition against Okaeben.