A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the House of Representatives to suspend Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere pending the outcome of investigations into allegations of forgery, blackmail and related misconduct.
The coalition, operating under the banner of the Civil Society Alliance Against Corruption and Abuse of Office (CSAACAO), said the demand was necessary to protect the integrity of the National Assembly and maintain public confidence in democratic institutions.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Comrade Ibrahim Musa; National Secretary, Comrade Chinedu Okafor; and Director of Public Affairs, Amina Abdullahi, the group cited recent allegations reportedly made by Hon. Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, against Ugochinyere.
According to the coalition, the allegations raise concerns about legislative ethics, transparency and accountability, and therefore require urgent and impartial scrutiny.
The group argued that public institutions must be seen to uphold the highest standards of conduct, particularly when allegations involve actions capable of undermining official processes and public trust.
“As a coalition committed to the fight against corruption, abuse of office and impunity in public institutions, we believe that allowing Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere to continue to function in his legislative capacity while these allegations remain unresolved would undermine public confidence in the National Assembly and damage the credibility of the institution,” the statement said.
CSAACAO called for the immediate suspension of the lawmaker from legislative activities pending investigations, the constitution of an independent investigative panel by the House leadership, and the involvement of relevant anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies where necessary.
The coalition also urged the National Assembly to make the findings of any investigation public and ensure appropriate sanctions are applied if wrongdoing is established.
The group stressed that its position was driven by the need to strengthen accountability mechanisms within public institutions rather than political considerations.
“The National Assembly must demonstrate that no individual, regardless of status, influence or political affiliation, is above the law,” the coalition stated.
It further urged the leadership of the House, under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, to act decisively in order to preserve the credibility of the legislature and reassure Nigerians of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
The call adds to ongoing conversations about ethical standards in public office and the responsibility of democratic institutions to address allegations that could affect public trust.
As of the time of filing this report, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere had not publicly responded to the coalition’s demands.
