Warri South Councillors accuse Hon. Ibiri of intent to harm them, Ibiri denies allegation

Members of Warri South Council Legislative Arm, have accused the Councillor representing Okumagba I, Ward 9 in the Legislative Arm, Hon. Lucky Ibiri of intent to harm some of them, saying Hon. Ibiri, who was suspended indefinitely Thursday January 9: “Returned to the Council the next day, Friday 10th January 2025, with a group of armed thugs, all putting on black berets like him, with the intent of causing harm to his colleagues around the Council.

“Quite fortunately, security measures were in place and efficient, the legislator's attempts to disrupt the Council, was thwarted.”

Fresh Angle International, can report that the Warri South Legislature made the allegation Monday January 13, during a press briefing held at the Legislative Chamber of Warri South Council Main Secretariat in Warri, Delta State.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information and Publicity in Warri South Council Legislative Arm, Hon. Jolomi Ojighoro, who addressed the press, asserted: “One of our legislators, was suspended due to allegations of gross misconduct emanating from publicly insulting the Leader of the House, calling her all manners of unprinted names and threatening to beat up a senior colleague, who happens to be a former Deputy Chief Whip of the House.

L-R: (Front Row) Hon. Emmanuel Egbe, Hon. Joy Ejumudo & Hon. Monday Iriferi

“The accused, Hon. Lucky Ibiri, peddled all manner of lies for the purpose of inciting the Urhobo leaders of Warri South against the present Majority Leader of the House and lastly physically assaulting and beating up another senior colleague, who is the present Deputy Majority Leader of the House. 

“His suspension came after a series of meetings and investigation by the House Committee on Discipline and Ethics in accordance with *Order 36* of the standing order of the House as derived from *section 51 of the Delta State Local Government (Amendment) Law 2017*.

“Reports also have it that he (Hon. Lucky Ibiri) has been going round the resident of the Leader of the Legislative Arm *Rt Hon Joy Ejumudo* with unknown scary looking young men since his suspension, this consequently has made the Leader not to go anywhere close to her house for the safety of her own life. 

“We will like to state emphatically and unequivocally that the safety of our members is of utmost priority and we will not tolerate any form of conducts/misconduct that puts them at risk.

“We are taking these allegations very seriously and we are conducting a thorough investigation. We will also be reviewing our security protocols to ensure such incidence does not happen within the Council again.

“We urge all members to uphold the highest standards of conduct and to keep respecting the standing order of the Warri South Legislative House, which is the "Bible " and procedures of the Council. Any behaviour that falls short of these expectations will be addressed swiftly and decisively.

“It is necessary to reiterate at this junction that Hon. Lucky Ibiri's suspension was carried out in accordance with the laws guiding the House, without any form of prejudice and he remains suspended.”

On Hon. Ibiri’s position that his indefinite suspension by the House fell short of the law, the Majority Leader of Warri South Legislative Arm, Hon. Tuoyo Ebigbeyi, responded: “I want to draw your attention to the Delta State Local Government Council law of 2017, as amended, more specifically section 51, which states that subject to the provisions of these laws, a Legislative House shall have power to regulate its own procedure.

“We have what we call the Standing Order of the Warri South Legislative Arm, that is borne-out of this section of the Delta State Local Government law book, which stipulates that if any member is found wanting, the House has the right to slam any disciplinary action on the person.

“I do not know what he (Hon. Ibiri) is referring to, that he was wrongly suspended. He was given right to fair hearing, he did not even deny any of the allegations, he accepted that he actually insulted the Leader of the House and did all manner of things.”

The Leader of Warri South Legislative Arm, Hon. Joy Ejumudo, on her part, alleged: “I was called on several occasions. Firstly, he (Hon. Ibiri) went to my house with thugs and fully armed, pretending that he wanted to book an appointment with me.

“After leaving my house, he went to my shop, interrogating my sales representative and also another woman that her shop is close to mine, saying that I sent him there. Thereafter, he went to my mother's place with those thugs, my mother is now scared and has to run away from her house.

“My family and I, are not safe, our lives are under threat. I have not been able to go to my shop.”

The embattled Councillor, Hon. Lucky Ibiri, while speaking to This Flagship Niger Delta Online Newspaper, in an exclusive telephone interview today, Monday January 13 (shortly after the press briefing by his colleagues) averred: “Order 34 (f) of the rules that govern the Legislative Arm of Warri South Council, states that when a matter is in court, such matters can not be entertained in the Hallowed Chamber, pending the determination of the court.

Hon. Lucky Ibiri

“Last week, the Deputy Leader, was served by the bailiff of court and the other members of the House, were also served by the bailiff, who was almost beaten and chased away by the members of the House.

“It was when the Leader of the House, wasn't on sit at the House, that the bailiff now went to her house to serve her. I never went to her house or the Council with thugs. I was not given fair hearing and it is against my fundamental human rights.

“The 1999 constitution (as Amended) is bigger than any other constitution. You can not suspend somebody, without giving that person a fair hearing. I would not want to talk massively into the court proceedings, because when a matter is in court, you do not say too much about it.”

Photo/Video Credit: Hitler Blessing

Video Editor: Hitler Preye Bela

×