By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday set up a six-man probe panel to investigate allegations levelled against the immediate past Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku.

Agbebaku was forced to resign his position on Monday, August 16, 2026, during plenary that lasted for about 30 minutes.

The newly elected Speaker of the House, Yekini Idaiye, who spoke immediately after he was elected, stated that the former Speaker was removed over alleged financial impropriety, corruption and poor leadership.

Idaiye also accused him of inflating the prices of Lexus 570 SUVs and Hilux Toyota vans purchased for members.

He posited that the change of guard was a change for better legislative works and effective application of parliamentary practices, devoid of personal interest, corruption, poor leadership and failure to uphold the oath of office swore to.

“Edo citizens here, and in diaspora felt a high sensation that Laws, motions and oversight works would be done to better the living conditions of our people. The former Speaker performed below the benchmark the lawmakers set for themselves.

“Parliament is about lawmaking and not a place of social meeting where only one individual decides when to sit or not to sit as was practised. Every attempt made to put the leadership of the House on sanity was rebuffed.

“To ensure that these weight of allegations, amongst which is central to inflating the price of purchasing the Lexus 570 Jeeps and Hilux vehicles against the former Speaker, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku are thoroughly investigated, and uninterrupted, hence the suspension of the former Speaker pending when these allegations are fully looked into.

“However, due to personal and parochial consideration by few individuals, no tangible results were recorded. This is at variance with the bench mark set for this Assembly and by extension our people.

“The essence of electing a Deputy Speaker is to deputize for Rt. Hon. Speaker in the absence of Mr. Speaker, not to deprive the House of Plenary Session, whereas litany of Bilis, Petitions and Parliamentary activities were sare unresolved.

“We shall not allow the House to be riddled with misdirections and corruption due to the error and greed of few men,” he said.

Idaiye who vowed that never again shall a blind and greedy man be allowed to lead the robust Assembly, ordered the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, the former Majority Leader, Jonathan Ibhamawu, the Deputy Majority Leader, Addeh Emankhu Isibor, and the Chief of Staff to the former Speaker to hand over all official vehicles and other properties in their possession to the Cerk of the House.

The six-man probe panel will be chaired by Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon II), while the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Yahaya Omogbai, will serve as Secretary.

Other members are: Donald Okogbe (Akoko-Edo II), Andrew Uzamere (Ovia North-East II), Kingsley Ugabi (Etsako East), and Maria Edeko (Esan North-East II).

He gave the Committee two weeks to submit its reports to the House.

Meanwhile, the Speaker also announced the dissolution of all the standing Committees of the House.