The Kogi State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area of the state, William Iko-Ojo, over allegations of misappropriation of public funds, security threat, gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The suspension of the council boss, ebirareporters.com learnt, was sequel to a petition written to the Assembly by one Barrister Jibril Ojochenemi.
The petition was read during plenary by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Suleiman Abdulrazaq.
Abdulrazaq said the petition alleged that, the sum of N536, 137, 064.9k (Five hundred and thirty six million, one hundred and thirty seven thousand, sixty-four naira and nine kobo) was spent on over-head cost by the LGA Chairman, without budgetary provision.
Continuing, the Majority Leader said: ” Mr.Speaker Sir, and my distinguished colleagues, this act of misappropriation, was reported in the audited consolidated financial statement of the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State, for the period covering 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021. The House should look into instances of security breach and disrespect to the rule of law. Such conduct portrays the man to be above the law.”
Following the petition before the House, the Majority Leader, called for the suspension of the embattled Council Boss, which was immediately seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Enema Paul, who is representing Dekina Okura State Constituency.
The Deputy Speaker, in his submission noted that, the allegations against the Local Government Chairman, was weighty, adding that he should step aside, pending the conclusion of investigation by the House.
In their various contributions, the members representing Ogori Magongo State Constituency, Bode Ogunmola, Dekina/Biraidu, Hon. Ochidi Usman Shehu, Kogi Koton Karfe, Hon. Aliyu Maikudi and Okene South, Hon. Yusuf Zakari Eneve, all threw their weight for the removal of the Ibaji Council Boss.
According to them, under the watch of the embattled Council Boss, crisis broke out in Ibaji, which led to the death of a woman.
