Kogi state House of Assembly has summoned Mr Ade Bada, the publisher of a local magazine, The Public, and a human right activist, Idris Miliki to appear before it on Wednesday over a story published in the current edition of the magazine.
The House committee chairman on Information, and member representing Kotonkarfi constituency, Saliu Akawu had drawn the attention of the House on the publication which alleged that the 25 house members had collected N5 million each as gratification from the state government to endorse the N20 billion loan governor Idris Wada sought from the capital market
Akawu added that the publication had cast serious integrity question on members of the House by asking what the members did with the N10 million constituency allowance recently given to each members
He said it was not the business of the magazine to ask such question as it was only members of their various constituencies that could ask such question
Akawu also condemned two Right activists, comrade Idris Miliki of the Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution and one Comrade Illiasu Megida for making comments over the allegation
Quite a number of praticing journalists and advocating members of Civil Societies in Kogi
The house unanimously passed a motion ordering the publisher and two activists to appear before it on wednesday to substantiate their allegations
It was gathered that Miliki who was at the floor of the house at that time was later summoned to the speaker’s office where one of the legislators threatened to beat him
Reacting to the summon order, Miliki in a press statement , expressed worry that the house which is supposed to make laws for the good of the state is now engaging in activity that suggests the trampling on his rights of expression
He said his advice on the publication that the law makers should not do things that could undermine members of their constituency was in good faith and wondered why the house was fidgeting over the issue
As for Mr Ade Bada, he said the press has the. Constitutional right to call to order or query any action or inaction of the house and wondered why the house has decided to engage in arm twisting over an issue that has to do with the public
Bada however said, he stands by the story as he has incontrovertible evidence at his disposal to back up the publication
The development has however incited working journalists and members of the civil society in the state have concluded plans to storm the house on wednesday on solidarity support for their colleagues.
