From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Impeached immediate past deputy speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs Elizabeth Ativie, has vowed not to return the official vehicles allocated to her office, saying the vehicles were personally given to her by former governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Ativie, who was removed from office on Monday along with the former speaker, Justine Okonoboh, in a letter through her Lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi, dated August 16, 2017, addressed to the Clerk of the House, James Omoataman, said Oshiomhole signed a letter dated 19, July 2016, to give the vehicles to her in acknowledgement of the sacrifices she was expected to make for the peace, security and well-being of the state.

The Clerk had, in his letter to the former deputy speaker dated August 14, 2017, directed her to return the official vehicles, including one Lexus Jeep- 2016 Model, One Prado Jeep and two Hilux vans and handover the keys of the vehicles to him on or before the close of work on Tuesday, 15 August 15, 2017.

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But, in response, Ativie claimed ownership of the vehicles and quoted part of the letter written by the former governor.

According to Ativie’s counsel, “After the vehicles were given, our client went to the licence office with the said letter and registered the vehicles in her name. In the exercise of her bonafide right of ownership, our client has sold one of the vehicles (Lexus Jeep 2016 model).”

He, therefore, urged the clerk to advise the legislature properly as he was in the best position to do so in view of the facts presented above.