According to the Benue State House of Assembly, Maxwell Ogiri, the governor of the state’s Otukpo Local Government Area, is being immediately suspended for six months due to allegations of financial misconduct and office abuse.
The Chief Press Secretary, Terver Zamber, the speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, stated in a statement about this.
Following the submission of a report by the House Committee on Local Government, Security, and Chieftaincy Affairs, a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, the decision was made on Friday.
The report cited the alleged illegal closing of the local legislative chamber as well as the alleged diversion of public funds into a private account.
The House suggested that the deputy chairman take the oath of office immediately in accordance with the assembly’s recommendation.
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According to the committee’s findings, Ogiri was charged with financial misappropriation as well as with harassing council members and preventing legislative activities by unilaterally shutting down the council chamber.
The chairman’s actions were deemed a flagrant violation of public trust and good governance ethics by the House.
The House called for his immediate suspension and expressed regret over the misappropriation and diversion of funds, councilor harassment, and the closure of the Legislative Chamber, according to the statement.
A five-member panel has been created by the House to further investigate the actions of the council under Ogiri’s leadership in order to support its inquiry.
Bemdoo Ipusu serves as the panel’s chair, along with Berger Alfred, Cyril Ekong, Solomon Gyila, and Michael Audu.
The investigative committee’s secretary, Bem Abunde, is now required to submit its report in a week.
Additionally, the House criticized the alleged abuse of the Ado local government chairman by alleged loyalists of the Deputy Speaker.
Lawmakers expressed concern that the development might obstruct legislative procedure and impede the safety of elected officials.
Source: Channels TV
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