Mrs. Jumoke Akindele, who, last week, was impeached as Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, has been suspended by the House indefinitely.
Mrs. Akindele, who represents Okitipupa Constituency, was suspended along with her Deputy Speaker, Mr. Fatai Olotu and Majority Leader, Mr. Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, at about 5 pm on Friday.
Sources told SaharaReporters that 12 House members sat and announced the suspension.
One of the members, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, explained that eight members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the five members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) signed the letter suspending Mrs. Akindele, the former Deputy Speaker and former Majority Leader.
The source confirmed to our correspondent that Mrs. Akindele was accused of attempting to steal N15million belonging to the House.
"The discussion during the sitting was that the paymaster of the Assembly was caught by some members with the sum of N15million at Assembly Complex.
"When confronted, the paymaster said Mrs. Akindele asked him to bring the money to her private residence. None of the other members was aware that the money was withdrawn from the account of the House. This made members suspend Mrs. Akindele and two principal officers," the source said.
The House has since announced Mr. Malachi Coker of Ilaje Constituency as the acting Speaker pending its investigation into the alleged fraud.
"After the announcement of Coker, lawmakers quickly adjourned the sitting of the House," a source added.
The House also announced and inaugurated Mr. Ayodeji Arowele (Owo Constituency) as Deputy Speaker, and Mr. Olamide George (Akure North Constituency) as Majority Leader.
As at the time of filling this report, the Police have stationed an armoured vehicle at the Assembly Complex entrance.
