The Kogi State House of Assembly has suspended nine lawmakers, seven council chairmen and three vice-chairmen over allegations of terrorism and anti-party activities.
Following a correspondence from Governor Yahaya Bello and the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Bello, the House issued the notice of suspension on the lawmakers and council leaders during plenary on Thursday.
The Speaker of the House, Kolawole Matthew noted that while the suspended lawmakers were accused of involvement in terrorist activities based on security reports, the others were allegedly involved in anti-party activities in the last elections.
The suspended lawmakers are Mukhtar Bajeh (Okehi) Daniya Rayin (Bassa), onstituency, Kilani Olumo (Ijumu), Moses Akande (Ogori-Magongo), Lawi Ahmed (Okene I) Atule Igbunu (Ibaji), Suleiman Attajachi Musa (Idah) Aderonke Aro (Yagba West) and Bello Hassan Abdullahi (Ajaokuta).
The Chairmen of Bassa LGA, Hon Muktari Shaibu with his Vice Chairman; Ogori/Magongo LGA, Hon. Okparison and his vice; Yagba West LGA, Hon Pius Kolawole; Ibaji LGA; Kabba/Bunu LGA, Hon. Moses Olorunleke and his Vice, Adebimpe Alfred; Mustapha Akaaba of Ajaokuta LGA, and Joseph Salami of Adavi LGA were suspended.
Contributing to debate on the allegation levelled against the lawmakers, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alfa Rabiu Momoh representing Ankpa II state constituency, supported the suspension of members, saying the State is bigger than any personal interest and that lawmakers should not be found contravening the law.
Also, Hon. Collins Musa, representing Omala state constituency aligned himself with the Deputy Speaker’s position, arguing that any issue that borders on terrorism was too grave to be swept under the carpet.
The House, therefore, placed the nine lawmakers on suspension until investigation on the allegations against them was concluded.
A seven-man Ad-hoc Committee headed by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Rabiu, was set up by the House to investigate the seven Local Government chairmen.
In an another development, the House also placed the Lokoja Local Government chairman, Hon. Dansabe Muhammed, on suspension based on allegation of misappropriation of funds to the tune of N150 million.
