The Benue State House of Assembly has approved a three-month suspension of the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Hon. Vitalis Neji, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The House carried out the action during Thursday’s plenary held at the hallowed chamber of the Benue State House of Assembly, Makurdi, and presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alfred Emberga, when the Ad Hoc Committee constituted by the House presented its report in the Committee of the Whole.
It could be recalled that recently, during its plenary, the House constituted an Ad Hoc Committee headed by the Majority Leader, Hon. Peter Ipusu, with Hon. Simon Gabo, Hon. Elias Audu, Hon. Abu Umoru, and Hon. Emmanuel Shimawua as members, to investigate allegations leveled against the Chairman, Hon. Neji. The petition was presented on the floor of the House by the member representing Kyan State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Shimawua.
Leading the debate, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, who also doubles as the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Peter Ipusu, stated that the Committee met with the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Hon. Neji. However, the Chairman was not able to tender any documentary evidence on the accusations leveled against him.
The Ad Hoc Committee, in its recommendations, recommended a three-month suspension for Hon. Vitalis Neji, which the House formally adopted.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emberga, directed that the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Hon. Vitalis Neji, should proceed on a three-month suspension, while the Vice Chairman of the Local Government should take over with immediate effect.
Rt. Hon. Emberga directed the Clerk of the House, Dr. Bem Mela, to communicate the resolution of the House to the appropriate authorities.
In a chat with newsmen, the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Information, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Elias Audu, stated that the Legislative Council of Kwande Local Government Area reported to the State Assembly, accusing the Chairman of the Local Government Area, Hon. Vitalis Neji, of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Hon. Audu further stated that the Kwande Legislative Council had requested the financial records of the Local Government Area, but the Hon. Neji-led administration refused to present them.
He debunked the insinuation making the rounds that Hon. Neji was being maltreated and suspended due to political witch-hunt, describing the action of the House as being based totally on justice and fair judgment.
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Benue lawmakers suspend Kwande LG Chairman over abuse of office – thevoicenewspapers.com.ng
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