Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly on Tuesday subjected the state Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, Market and Wealth Creation, Mrs. Uzoamaka Ilobi, on hot seat on the floor of the House for allegedly insulting the state legislature.

Ilobi was said to have ordered the majority leader of the House, Mr. Victor Jideofor out of her office when the lawmaker went to clarify certain official issues.

When the majority leader reported the incident to his colleagues, the Commissioner was summoned to the House to explain what transpired between her and the lawmaker who, it was gathered, was officially sent to her office for the clarification, but she allegedly called the bluff of the house.

Angered by the development, the matter was tabled at the plenary, with the lawmakers threatening to recommend to the governor, Chief Willie Obiano, her removal from office if she failed to appear before them.

Following the threat, the Commissioner had no choice than to appear before the lawmakers, during which they kept her standing while dressing her down.

The legislators who spoke during her appearance condemned the development and warmed political appointees and the public to refrain from any act of show of disrespect to the legislature, which they noted, was becoming unbridled.

According to them, the situation was capable of dragging the image of the legislature to the mud if not checked.

On his part, the member representing Aguata 2 Constituency, Mr. Ikem Uzoezi, said the commissioner forgot that the legislature confirmed her appointment and wondered why she had the temerity to insult the state legislature, adding that summoning her to the house was simply to call her to order.

“Are you not aware that the legislature is a constituted body empowered by the Nigerian Constitution and that any disrespect to it means violation of the law and an insult on the state?” he queried.

The commissioner in responding to the question affirmed her knowledge of the law and apologised for her misbehavior towards the legislature and promised that such a thing would not repeat itself before the lawmakers asked her to “go and sin no more.”

•Photo shows Anambra State House of Assembly Complex.

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