What Ekiti Assembly did to member for sleeping throughout sittings

The Ekiti State House of Assembly has suspended the member
representing Ikere Constituency 2, Mr. Sunday Akinniyi, for "regularly
absenting himself" at meetings and for allegedly sleeping through
sittings in the last three years.

While also accusing Akinniyi of engaging in acts of terrorism, the
lawmakers barred him from the vicinity of the Assembly complex and
mandated the Clerk to lodge a formal complaint of threat to lives of
members against him to security agencies.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Dr. Samuel Omotoso, who
made this known to newsmen on Wednesday said, "Hon Akinniyi is in the
habit of sleeping from the beginning of any programme to the end, to
the extent that he was nicknamed 'The sleeping Honourable'. Several
attempts by the Speaker (Kola Oluwawole) advising him to pay attention
to his people and his health has been rebuffed with insults."

Omotoso further stated that the suspension followed a series of
allegations levelled against him by the Leader, Tunji Akinleye.

He said the decision was reached based on a report submitted after due
investigation carried out by Ayodele Fajemilehin-led committee of the
assembly.

"Hon Akinniyi Sunday was alleged, a few weeks ago, of breeding
terrorism within the Institution of the House, violence towards the
Mace in a properly constituted plenary session, belligerence attitude
and acts of bellicosity against his colleagues and pugnacious
behaviours in his constituency against his own people, all amounting
to gross misconduct and unbecoming of any honourable member of this
House.

"The suspended member was also regularly regular in absenting himself
especially when issues relating to his constituency is slated for
discussion.

"Despite complaints of negligence from his people, he remained adamant."

The House spokesman recalled that Akinniyi was initially removed as
the Chief Whip of the House on May 24, 2018 when his malfeasance was
becoming unbearable, in an attempt to make him alive to his
responsibilities.

"It is in reference to all these that this House viewed the failures
of Akinniyi as incompatible with the spirit of good governance and
quality representation of the present House of Assembly and he is
hereby suspended indefinitely.

"Ekiti House of Assembly will be alive to the noble doctrine of active
service as elected representatives of our various constituencies," he
said.


Omotosho advised Akinniyi to pay more attention to his health and use
the period of his suspension to come out of his "embarrassing sleep
syndrome by sleeping at home rather than chasing shadows."