From Uche Nnorom Makurdi
The Benue state House of Assembly led by Titus Uba yesterday approved the suspension of three local government chairmen for a period of three months for gross misconduct, financial misappropriation and other offences contrary to local government law.
Those suspended are: the chairman of Ogbadibo local government, Mr James Akola and his deputy, the chairman of Gwer East Mr Vitalis Ukwar and Vandeikya Mr Dennis Akura.
The approval for their suspension followed a correspondent sent to the house of Assembly by the Benue state governor Samuel Ortom requesting for approval of members to suspend the chairmen after investigation on the allegation leveled against them.
Motion for the suspension of chairman of Ogbadibo and his deputy was moved by the deputy speaker, Mr Egli Johnson Ahubi who noted that their action contravened the local government law 2007 as amended and as such they should be suspended to serve as deterrent to others.
While Richard Ujege representing Konshisha State Constituency moved the motion for the suspension of Vitalis Ukwar, basing his grounds on the investigation concluded as well as the proposal from the governor.
Another member representing Oju ll Mathew Eri frowned at the attitude of the Gwer East chairman who adamantly refused to appear before the committee set up by the house to investigate the matter.
Joseph Ojobo who represents Ogbadibo State constituency decried the manner his chairman spent money not appropriated for, intimating that between January and March, most of the local government chairmen spent money that were not appropriated and captured in their budgets which he said was against the local government constitution of 2007 as amended.
The Speaker therefore, warned other local government chairmen to brace up and work in the interest of the people as anyone found wanting would be made to face the law.
