Benue Assembly extends LG chairman’s suspension by six months

The Benue State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Mr Vitalis Neji, by an additional six months over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The extension followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Bemdoo Ipusu, on Thursday during plenary in Makurdi and seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Isaac Ochekliye.

Ruling on the motion, the Speaker, Mr Alfred Emberga, directed the acting Chairman, Mrs Rita Iortsor, to continue acting as chairman pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Neji was initially suspended on August 20 for three months following the consideration of an interim report by an ad hoc committee set up by the House to investigate allegations against him. https://punchng.com/benue-assembly-suspends-lg-chairman-over-gross-misconduct/

Presenting the committee’s report during the earlier plenary, the then Majority Leader and committee chairman, Mr Peter Ipusu, said Neji appeared before the committee but was unable to satisfactorily defend himself against the allegations.

The House subsequently recommended his suspension, with Emberga ruling that it would take immediate effect to allow for further investigation into the allegations.