The Edo State House of Assembly has summoned the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Monday Agbonika, to appear before lawmakers over the arrest of a traditional ruler from Ikpeshi, which occurred within the Assembly complex.
The invitation, scheduled for today at 1 p.m. during an executive session, is to allow the police chief explain the circumstances surrounding the controversial arrest.
The Assembly also invited rival factions from the Ikpeshi community following violent clashes related to a kingship dispute and revenue collection issues.
At a previous meeting on June 18, the lawmakers had instructed both parties to maintain peace and suspend all activities until the crisis is resolved.
Raising a matter of urgent public importance during Monday’s plenary, Majority Leader Jonathan Aigbokhan condemned the police action, saying it was disrespectful for the commissioner to authorize the arrest of a guest formally invited by the House.
“If such an arrest was necessary, it should have been done in Ikpeshi, not here in the Assembly,” Aigbokhan said.
He also ordered the immediate release of the monarch so that he could participate in the House’s ongoing investigation into the Ikpeshi conflict.
In other proceedings, the Assembly confirmed Ms. Sonia Ebanehita as Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), following her screening by the Committee on Rules and Business.
Additionally, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku addressed protesting youths from Oghede community, assuring them that a committee would be set up to probe allegations of land encroachment and demolition by the Nigerian Army.
Meanwhile, the House passed a resolution urging the state government and the police to urgently address growing incidents of police brutality across Edo State.