The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday formally impeached its suspended former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, while simultaneously advancing contentious amendments to state laws governing the financial autonomy of the legislature and judiciary.
The legislative actions unfolded at the Assembly Complex in Benin City amidst mounting protests by members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).
​During plenary on Monday, August 24, 2026, the House officially converted the indefinite suspension of Blessing Agbebaku (representing Owan West Constituency) into a formal impeachment.
​Agbebaku had previously stepped down on Monday, August 17, 2026, leading to the election of Yekini Idaiye (representing Akoko-Edo I) as the new Speaker. However, procedural delays in filing the official paperwork prompted lawmakers to substitute the suspension with an outright impeachment.
The impeachment notice was signed by 17 lawmakers. The motion for formal impeachment was moved by Majority Leader Sunny Ojiezele and seconded by Ahmed Waziri, representing Etsako Central.
Newly installed Speaker Yekini Idaiye instructed Agbebaku to immediately return all state assets in his possession.
Speaker Idaiye stated during plenary; ​”This is to let the public know that the Edo State House of Assembly has formally impeached the suspended Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku. The impeached Speaker is to return all government property in his possession, and security agencies will be engaged if he fails to comply.”
​Tensions escalated earlier in the day when members of JUSUN and PASAN, supported by leadership from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, staged a demonstration at the Assembly gates. Protesters temporarily locked Assembly staff and lawmakers out, demonstrating against proposed legislative bills to modify:
The Edo State Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law (2023) and The Edo State House of Assembly Funds Management Law (2023).
​Protesters voiced concerns that reversing or amending the 2023 autonomy laws would undermine judicial and legislative independence, stripping away key safeguards won after years of labor advocacy.
Edo State JUSUN Chairman, Orien Charles, criticized the proposed modifications during the protest: ​”We are here because of our financial autonomy. The House of Assembly wanted to repeal financial autonomy for the judiciary.
They said it was an error and that they want to do an amendment, but the amendment and the repeal are the same thing, they want to take away autonomy. We suffered for 10 years for this, and we will not accept it.”
Idemudia Osifo, Chairman of the NBA Benin Branch, described attempts to alter autonomy laws as embarrassing, warning it risks returning both institutions to administrative hardship. Former NBA Benin Chairman Ede Asenoguan added that financial independence is a constitutional requirement.
​Addressing the press and gathered workers around 4:30 PM before commencing delayed plenary proceedings, Speaker Yekini Idaiye clarified that the Assembly was not scrapping fiscal autonomy, citing drafting misinterpretations in the bill’s title.
​Idaiye assured workers that the proposed amendments are designed to establish an oversight agency to ensure accountability, audit transparency, and proper execution of public projects under the current autonomy framework, rather than transferring fund control back to executive discretion.
