BREAKING: Burutu Legislative Arm Impeaches Leader, Other Principal Members

By Monday Peters Abuja

In a shocking development, the Burutu Legislative Arm in Delta State, Nigeria, has allegedly impeached its leader and other principal members. The impeachment notice which was served on the suspended leadership of the legislative arm led by Hon. Ekereke Bibobra Odafe on 11th August, 2025, cited allegations of gross misconduct, including embezzlement and misappropriation of House funds, high-handedness, abuse of office, and incompetence.

The impeachment was endorsed by 14 members of the house, out of the 21 lawmakers of the house.

Following the impeachment of the house leaders, Hon. Bar Martin Zimugha emerged as the new Leader of the Burutu legislative arm, Hon. Clement Wagha Deputy Leader, Hon. Pondy Ebipadewei Stainless Majority Leader, Hon. Ayangor Goodluck, Chief whip and

Hon. Paul Florence Deputy, Chief whip.

The notice, brought pursuant to Section 92(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), highlights Gross Embezzlement and Misappropriation of House Funds.

The impeached members were accused of misusing funds allocated for the House’s operations and the members were alleged to have abused their positions, demonstrating high-handedness in their dealings.

The notice claims that the impeached members have shown incompetence in carrying out their duties and were accused of engaging in conduct that could lead to a breach of the Nigerian Constitution.

The impeachment notice dated 11th of August, 2025 which titled “NOTICE OF MISCONDUCT, IMPEACHMENT/ALLEGATIONS OF GROSS EMBEZZLEMENT AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF HOUSE FUNDS, HIGH-HANDEDNESS, ABUSE OF OFFICE AND INCOMPETENCE AS WELL AS CONDUCT LIKELY TO CAUSE BREACH OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NIGERIA, BROUGHT PURSUANT TO SECTION 92(2) OF CFRN 1999 (AS AMENDED)” read “In compliance with section 92(2) of CFRN 1999 (as amended), we the underlisted and undersigned Honourable Members representing the various Wards in Burutu Legislative Arm have on this day 11 th of August 2025 resolved to impeach and suspend our Leader, Hon. Ekereke Odafe Bibobra, Deputy Leader Hon. Akpososo Bringila and the Majority Leader, Hon. Azigbeotu Samson on grounds of incompetence, gross misconduct, embezzlement and misappropriation of house funds, high-handedness, abuse of office and incompetence as well as conducts likely to cause breach of the Nigerian Constitution.

It further read, “Based on the above allegations which we investigated to be true, we concluded by stating that the Leader, Deputy Leader and Majority Leader have demonstrated that they are not prepared to lead the Burutu Legislative Arm according to the oath of office they have sworn to, and in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as (amended), hence we resolve that Hon. Ekereke Odafe Bibobra, Hon. Akpososo Bringila and Hon. Azigbeotu Samson honourably steps aside based on the legal principle of “nemo judex in causa sua” which translates to no one should be a judge in their own case”.

The new leadership of the Burutu legislative arm led by Barr Martin Zimugha further alleged that suspected Burutu leaders were usurping on their legislative functions, adding that there was no going back on the impeachment of the former principal members of the house.

According to the new leadership, they acted within the ambit of the law, adding that 2/3 majority of the house members signed the impeachment.

While raising the alarm of threat from suspected leaders, the new house leaders urged the governor of Delta State, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori to call Burutu leadership to order to avoid unnecessary conflicts in the council.