The Ekiti State House of Assembly has suspended its Chief Whip and member representing Ikere Constituency 2, Mr. Sunday Akinniyi for negligence and sleeping during plenary sessions.

A statement signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Dr. Samuel Omotoso in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Wednesday said Akinniyi was suspended over series of allegations levelled against him, chief among which is his sleeping habit.

The statement said that the decision to suspend the lawmaker followed a thorough investigation which was carried out by the Hon. Ayodele Fajemilehin-led committee of the Assembly.

He said Akinniyi was accused few weeks ago of “breeding terrorism and violence towards the mace in a properly constituted plenary session, belligerant attitude and acts of bellicosity against his colleagues and pugnacious behaviours in his constituency against his own people, all amounting to gross misconduct and unbecoming of any honourable member of this House.”

He continued:“The suspended honourable member was also regularly absenting himself, especially when issues relating to his constituency is slated for discussion. Despite complaints of negligence from his people, he remained adamant.

“The few occasions he presented himself for official duties in the House, Akinniyi is in the habit of sleeping from the beginning of any programme to the end to the extent that he was nicknamed ‘the sleeping honourable.’

“Several attempts by the Speaker advising him to pay attention to his people and his health had been rebuffed with insults.

“It is in reference to all these that this House viewed the failure of Akinniyi as incompatible with the spirit of good governance and quality representation of the present House of Assembly and he is hereby suspended indefinitely.” 

He also advised that while on suspension, Akinniyi should pay more attention to his health and use the period of his suspension to come out of his embarrassing sleeping syndrome by sleeping at home rather than chasing shadows.