The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended the chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, Hon Vitalis Neji, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The suspension followed the consideration and adoption of the report of an ad hoc committee set up by the House to investigate the allegations against the council chairman.
Presenting the report during plenary on Thursday, the Majority Leader and chairman of the committee, Hon Peter Ipusu, said Neji appeared before the panel but failed to satisfactorily defend himself against the allegations levelled against him.
The committee had recommended a three-month suspension for the chairman. However, after debating the report, members unanimously called on the Speaker, Rt Hon Alfred Emberga, to rule on the matter.
In his ruling, Emberga reduced the suspension to one month to allow for further investigation into the allegations.
The Speaker said the suspension takes effect immediately and will remain in force pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Assembly directed the Vice-Chairman of Kwande LG to take over the affairs of the council in an acting capacity during the period of the suspension.
