Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Konbowei Benson has alleged plots by five ex-council chairmen and some  colleagues in the state to remove him from office.

Benson, who stated this during a chat with newsmen at the Assembly complex, Yenagoa, stated that some aggrieved politicians in the state are inciting some House members to impeach him.

He said the rumoured embezzlement of N78 m approved by Gov. Seriake Dickson for the House members to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentary session held last August in South African was been used as an excuse.

“ Usually, there is no smoke without fire. I am aware that some House members are being incited, I am also aware that presently, signatures are being collected to remove me. The Speaker’s seat is no doubt an enviable position, “ Benson said.

He stated that though members could not attend the session as they arrived late in South Africa, explaining that there was no intention by the members to embezzle the money.

Konbowei, who maintained his innocence over the allegation of embezzlement, explained that Governor Seriake Dickson had approved the money for the lawmakers because of the importance of the parliamentary session to the lawmakers.

“The Governor saw the importance of the programme to the development of the House, that is why he graciously approved that sum of money for us to attend the programme.

“Quite clearly, nobody is disputing the fact that we went late for the programme. It is of note that something necessitated our late arrival. It was not our intention to go late for the programme or to embezzle any money,” he pointed out.

The Speaker, however, pointed accusing fingers at five ex-local government chairmen who were investigated and removed by the House after they were found guilty of financial misconduct.

The five ex-chairmen are of Sagbama, Brass, Ogbia and Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw LGAs were removed last August after a House probe  found them guilty of misconduct.