Edo Assembly has refused to clear a former lawmaker, Christopher Okaeben, as a Commissioner of the State.

Okaeben was among seven Commissioner-nominees that appeared before the Assembly.

Others cleared and confirmed were Mr. John Akhigbe, Festus Ebea, Dr Elizabeth Ebosele, Dr. Jerry Uwangue, Dr. Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien and Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie.

Okaeben was told to attend to a petition before the Department of State Services (DSS) and appear for screening.

Edo Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, who spoke while addressing the emergency plenary, said Okaeben, who represented Oredo West Constituency, had issues to settle with the DSS.

The Speaker said the report was submitted by the screening committee.

According to him: “Six out of the seven commissioner-nominees before us today have been cleared and confirmed, except one, who is our former colleague, Hon. Chris Okaeben, who has a question to answer with DSS. So I think he has to report to the DSS office for clearance.

“That is the report before me. The report is from the screening committee and I am not a member of the committee. The committee submitted a report.

“After his appearance with the DSS. They can take him and clear him. That is not a problem at all.” (The Nation)