The Kogi State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, William Iko-Ojo, due to accusations including misappropriation of public funds, posing security risks, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the suspension follows a petition addressed to the Assembly by Jibril Ojochenemi by House Majority Leader Suleiman Abdulrazaq, who represents Okene Town.
Abdulrazaq relayed the petition’s claims, asserting that a sum of N536,137,064.9k (equivalent to five hundred and thirty-six million, one hundred and thirty-seven thousand, sixty-four naira and nine kobo) had been expended under overhead costs without proper budget allocation by the Chairman.
The Majority Leader said the alleged financial mismanagement, as indicated in the audited consolidated financial statement of Kogi State’s 21 Local Government Areas during the period spanning from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.
Urging a closer examination, Abdulrazaq also emphasised the concerning security lapses and the apparent disregard for the rule of law, suggesting that such behaviour painted a picture of the Chairman acting beyond legal boundaries.
Following the introduction of the petition, the Majority Leader called for the suspension of the embattled Council Chairman, a proposal swiftly seconded by Deputy Speaker Enema Paul, representing Dekina Okura State constituency.
Deputy Speaker Paul, in his statement, acknowledged the gravity of the allegations and proposed that the Chairman step aside temporarily, pending the completion of a House-led investigation.
Other assembly members, including Bode Ogunmola of Ogori Magongo State Constituency, Ochidi Usman Shehu of Dekina/Biraidu, Aliyu Maikudi of Kogi Koton Karfe, Yusuf Zakari Eneve of Okene South, expressed their support for the removal of the Ibaji Council Chairman.
Lawmakers argued that his inability to manage security led to a tragic loss of life effectively.
One legislator stated, “If the executive Chairman cannot maintain security and is instead contributing to unrest within his jurisdiction, my stance is that the Chairman should face suspension.”
In a verdict delivered, Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf of the Kogi State House of Assembly instructed the Vice Chairman to assume the responsibilities of the Local Government in an interim capacity.
The Assembly also established a seven-member committee, headed by Deputy Speaker Enema Paul, to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations.
“The Chairman has become a security threat to the very area he is tasked to safeguard. Despite attempts to address his behaviour, his conduct remains problematic. As an elected Chairman, his party itself has lodged complaints against his conduct. A leader should create a conducive atmosphere for lawful activities, but his actions are sowing discord between communities and even challenging traditional leadership structures. This cannot be tolerated. Security reports further corroborate these concerns,” Speaker Yusuf declared.
Yusuf further urged the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) to closely monitor the suspended Chairman to prevent disruption of law and order.
