The crisis rocking Ebonyi State House of Assembly took another dimension yesterday, following the arrest of the Speaker, Helen Nwaobasi, and 14 other members of State Assembly by the police. They were arrested outside the court premises after their appearance in court over the on-going case about the authentic Speaker of the House.

The crisis started on July 21 when 18 of the 24 members of the State Assembly announced the impeachment of the Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku and the election of Nwaobasi to replace him.

But Nwazunku denied he was impeached, describing his impeachment as illegal.

He and nine lawmakers loyal to him filed a suit asking the Ebonyi State High Court to restrain Nwaobasi from parading himself as Speaker.

The Nwaobasi group also filed a counter motion seeking to restrain Nwazunku from parading himself as Speaker. The court had fixed yesterday for further hearing on the suit which the 14 House members attended.

But the police laid siege for them at the gate of the court and bundled them to the nearby State Police Headquarters.

The incident happened at around 10 a.m. as they were leaving the court premises.

At the time of filling this report, they were still in detention at the state police command.

Notable among those arrested are the Minority Leader, Enyi C. Enyi (APC) and Minority Whip, Joseph Nwaobasi (APC), Deputy Speaker, Blaise Orji (PDP) and the Speaker Helen Nwaobasi.

No reasons have been given for their arrest at the time of filling the report.

Police spokesman, Chris Anyanwu denied knowledge of the arrests.

Reporters were also chased out of the police headquarters on the orders of the Commissioner of Police.

•Credit (except for amended headline): Daily Newswatch. Photo shows ‘impeached’ Ebonyi House Speaker, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku.