COVID-19: Imo Speaker bars legislator from plenary for sneezing

Imo House of Assembly Speaker, Dr. Chiji Collins, at their last plenary Wednesday ordered the Honourable member representing Nkwerre state Constituency, Hon. Obinna Okwara out of the Chambers for sneezing repeatedly.

Okwara had been sneezing intermittently, with other members darting furtive glances at one another apparently wondering if they were safe.
At a point, the sneezing was distracting, if not disrupting proceedings with the attention of other parliamentarians now shifting to their sneezing colleague.


Mindful of the COVID-19 global emergency, the Speaker read the body language of legislators and ordered Hon. Obinna Okwara out of the Chambers to go and get himself together before returning to the chambers.


Ironically, Okwara who was not wearing any safety face mask, also continued sneezing after he left the Chambers. He thereafter headed to his office and did not rejoin the sitting again for the day’s proceedings.


It will be recalled that Tuesday, a legislator, Hon. Philip Ejiogu representing Owerri North, who just returned from the United Kingdom was also advised by Speaker Collins to stay away from the Assembly until he has concluded a mandatory 14-day self-isolation procedure.
But before the directive, he had been seen shaking and hugging colleagues after the election of the new Deputy Speaker and few other principal officers. 
It is however noted that Hon. Philip Ejiogu has not attended legislative sitting since his last appearance. 

  • Related Posts

    TAKE A LOOK: What’s inside the US-Iran peace deal

      The following is the text of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, as read out by a senior US official to reporters on Wednesday: “The United States of America and…

    Okpebholo Accuses Some Edo Residents Of Collaborating With Criminals

      Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has alleged that criminal networks operating in the state are being reinforced with recruits from other parts of the country, while local collaborators arrange…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    TAKE A LOOK: What’s inside the US-Iran peace deal

    • By admin
    • June 17, 2026
    • 2 views
    TAKE A LOOK: What’s inside the US-Iran peace deal

    Okpebholo Accuses Some Edo Residents Of Collaborating With Criminals

    • By admin
    • June 17, 2026
    • 3 views
    Okpebholo Accuses Some Edo Residents Of Collaborating With Criminals

    Man sentenced to death for raping minor in Calabar

    • By admin
    • June 17, 2026
    • 4 views
    Man sentenced to death for raping minor in Calabar

    NBC Loses As Appeal Court Upholds Ban On Broadcast Fines

    • By admin
    • June 17, 2026
    • 2 views
    NBC Loses As Appeal Court Upholds Ban On Broadcast Fines

    JUST IN: London court acquits Diezani of bribery charges

    • By admin
    • June 17, 2026
    • 5 views
    JUST IN: London court acquits Diezani of bribery charges

    Police arrest two over killing of 33-year-old woman in Anambra

    • By admin
    • June 17, 2026
    • 6 views
    Police arrest two over killing of 33-year-old woman in Anambra