The Anambra State House of Assembly has reinstated Bernard Udemezue, the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, who was suspended for six months.
PUNCH Online reported in August 2025 that Udemezue had initially been suspended for three months.
He was suspended over content he shared on social media, which the House described as “damaging content.”
The lawmaker had alleged on his social media handles that his constituency, Ayamelum, is marginalised in terms of constituency allowances
Following his posts, the House, on August 28, 2025, considered a report by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges that indicted him over his alleged “unparliamentary conduct” and passed a resolution suspending him for three months.
Subsequently, Udemezue was handed an additional three-month suspension for failing to comply with the initial directives of the House.
The extended suspension, which commenced on November 26, 2025, was scheduled to lapse on February 26, 2026.
However, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, during Tuesday’s plenary, directed the House Committee on Rules, Ethics and Privileges to review Udemezue’s suspension in preparation for his recall.
Udeze tasked the committee, chaired by the Majority Leader, Ikenna Ofodeme, to “urgently re-examine the matter in line with the House resolution and report back to the Assembly on the next adjourned date.”
Presenting the committee’s report in a resumed plenary on Thursday, Ofodeme said the committee had thoroughly reviewed the resolutions to determine Udemezue’s level of compliance.
Ofodeme noted that Udemezue complied with the provisions of the House resolution and apologised to the Speaker and members of the Eighth Assembly within the five days given to him, through a letter dated November 27, 2025, with reference number ANHA/014/033.
He added, “Udemezue also obeyed the order not to be seen around the premises of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Awka, during the second three-month suspension.
“Udemezue requested his reinstatement, that his allowances be paid from March 2026, and that he be allowed full access to the House complex to participate in legislative activities with his colleagues.”
The motion for the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Rules, Ethics and Privileges was moved by Noble Igwe, member representing Ogbaru 1 Constituency, and seconded by Tony Mobike, member representing Aguata 2 Constituency.
With the adoption of the report, Udemezue is expected to resume his legislative duties next week.
PUNCH.
