Enugu Deputy Governor Slumps Before Impeachment Panel

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Enugu is the latest laughing stock in Nigeria, where a man is about to be impeached over flimsy excuse(s): The Deputy Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi, on Wednesday slumped while testifying before the panel of enquiry that is investigating impeachable allegations levelled against him by the state House of Assembly. The Deputy Governor had testified for about three hours in his own defence when he suddenly complained of dizziness and almost immediately he collapsed into his seat.

Onyebuchi’s wife, Nneka, and some of his aides, who were present at the sitting, were said to have rushed to his aid and revived him before he was rushed to the hospital. His lawyer, Ogochukwu Onyekwuluje, said,

“What happened is that the deputy governor was giving evidence but at some point he developed dizziness and had to be rushed to the hospital. They have diagnosed blood pressure and a medical report has been brought, showing the state of his health. He suddenly developed a high blood pressure.” Continue...

The panel, which initially adjourned its sitting till 2pm as a result of the development, was unable to continue again for the day as reports from the hospital indicated that Onyebuchi had suffered from high blood pressure, and as a result, needed to rest.

Journalists were not in the courtroom when the incident occurred because the panel had barred the press from covering its proceedings.

According to Punch, Onyebuchi slumped barely five minutes after Chief of Staff to Governor Sullivan Chime, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, who is widely seen as Onyebuchi’s major adversary, entered the room in company with the state’s Attorney-General, Mr. Anthony Ani, SAN.

Although Onyebuchi was accused of running an illegal poultry, and allegedly refused to represent the governor at official functions, there have been insinuations that his real offence had been his intention to contest the Enugu East Senatorial Zone seat, which is said to have been reserved for Mrs. Nwobodo.

Her presence in the courtroom was in response to summons served on her on Tuesday by the panel.

The deputy governor’s condition was said to have been stabilised, having received treatment at an undisclosed hospital but his lawyers were said to be hopeful that the panel would shelve its sittings until next week to give the embattled politician enough time to recuperate.

The lawyers blamed their client’s failing health on the pressure of the impeachment proceeding against him.

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