Anambra State House of Assembly on Tuesday at plenary, suspended the lawmaker representing Ayamelum Constituency, Hon. Bernard Udemezue
for three months without pay.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the House directed Udemezue, to tender a public apology to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, and members of the 8th Assembly over what was described as unparliamentary actions capable of denting the image of the Legislature.
The directive followed recommendations from the House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics, and Privileges, which investigated allegations leveled against the lawmaker, for his unparliamentary conduct which could be reviewed.
According to the resolutions, Hon. Udemezue must issue the apology within five working days through his official social media platforms.
On the grave allegations linking the Anambra State Government to the kidnap and subsequent murder of late Hon. Justice Azuka, as well as alleged impeachment plot, the Assembly urged the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Security Service to immediately commence investigations, noting that Hon. Udemezue may have vital information to assist security agencies in unraveling the matter.
The resolution, stated that the Ayamelum lawmaker is to undergo special training sessions and workshops on parliamentary ethics, practices and duties, while members were also cautioned to strictly adhere to the Standing Orders of the House and conduct themselves properly, especially in public places.
The Assembly emphasized that social media platforms cannot be considered appropriate channels for conducting legislative business, particularly for lawmakers.
ANN recall that the matter arose following a motion of urgent public importance moved on August 19, 2025, by Hon. Tony Muobike (Aguata 2) and seconded by the Chief Whip, Hon. Jude Ngobili, which accused Udemezue of using his social media platforms to make inciting comments capable of disturbing public peace and bringing disrespect to the House.
The Speaker subsequently referred the matter to the Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges for investigation.
In its report, the committee noted that Hon. Udemezue was formally invited to appear before it to clarify the allegations but failed to honour the invitation. Instead, he allegedly mocked the process by posting the letter of invitation on his WhatsApp status accompanied with a song titled “Ndi Ara.”
The committee further cited several petitions and reports against the lawmaker, ranging from allegations of intimidation and threats to colleagues on the Assembly’s WhatsApp group, to petitions by legal practitioners and private citizens accusing him of threats to life, unlawful interference and abuse of office.
The Security Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University also accused him of misconduct and use of force.
The committee observed that during his tenure as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland and Boundary Affairs, Udemezue was alleged to have used his position to secure the release of suspected cultists and assailants.
Records also showed that between June 2024 and June 2025, he was absent for 43 out of 57 plenary sittings and was habitually late whenever he attended. Most strikingly, the report noted that the lawmaker “outrightly fingered the State Government in the kidnap and murder of late Hon. Justice Azuka,” a former member representing Onitsha North I, linking the incident to an alleged impeachment plot against the Governor.
