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

    Ogun Police Dismiss Reports of Thugs’ Siege on Awujale Palace in Ijebu-Ode

    The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that suspected thugs and miscreants laid siege to the Awujale Palace in Ijebu-Ode, describing the reports as misleading. The command explained…

    Delta Police Arrest 54-Year-Old Woman for Allegedly Faking Kidnapping to Extort N15m from Brother

    A 54-year-old woman has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command for allegedly staging her own kidnapping in a plot to extort N15 million from her younger brother. The…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published.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

    You Missed

    Cross River Court Sentences 38-Year-Old Man to Life Imprisonment for Raping 10-Year-Old Girl

    • By admin
    • November 11, 2026
    • 2 views
    Cross River Court Sentences 38-Year-Old Man to Life Imprisonment for Raping 10-Year-Old Girl

    Ogun Police Dismiss Reports of Thugs’ Siege on Awujale Palace in Ijebu-Ode

    • By admin
    • November 11, 2026
    • 3 views
    Ogun Police Dismiss Reports of Thugs’ Siege on Awujale Palace in Ijebu-Ode

    17 Passengers Escape Unhurt as CNG Bus Explodes into Flames on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    • By admin
    • November 11, 2026
    • 4 views
    17 Passengers Escape Unhurt as CNG Bus Explodes into Flames on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    Delta Police Arrest 54-Year-Old Woman for Allegedly Faking Kidnapping to Extort N15m from Brother

    • By admin
    • November 11, 2026
    • 6 views
    Delta Police Arrest 54-Year-Old Woman for Allegedly Faking Kidnapping to Extort N15m from Brother

    FCT Police Arrest Usman Mohammed Over Alleged Rape, Sexual Assault and Threats Against Women in Abuja

    • By admin
    • November 11, 2026
    • 5 views
    FCT Police Arrest Usman Mohammed Over Alleged Rape, Sexual Assault and Threats Against Women in Abuja

    Nigerian Army Arrests Father and Son Over Suspected Terrorist Links in Sokoto, Recovers AK-47

    • By admin
    • November 11, 2026
    • 5 views
    Nigerian Army Arrests Father and Son Over Suspected Terrorist Links in Sokoto, Recovers AK-47