The Kogi State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Emmanuel Onuche, over alleged gross misconduct and actions said to have tarnished the image of the state.
The suspension was announced during the House plenary on Wednesday. Onuche was directed to hand over the affairs of the council to his Vice Chairman, Victoria Okolo, pending the conclusion of investigations.
The House resolved that an effective investigation into the allegations against the embattled chairman would not be possible while he remains in office.
During the session, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, constituted a five-member committee headed by Hon. Bode Ogunmola to investigate the allegations.
Other members of the committee are Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye, (Ijumu) Hon. Asema Baba Haruna, (Adavi), Anthony Ujah, (Olamaboro) and Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani, (Lokoja 1 ) while Muhammed Bello is to serve as clerk of the committee.
The committee is expected to submit its report within one month.
Meanwhile, three members of the Kogi State House of Assembly have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers who switched parties are Hon. Bode Ogunmola (PDP – Ogori/Magongo), Hon. Idowu Ibikunle (ADC – Yagba East), and Hon. Sunday Daku (PDP – Bassa).