By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly has recommended the immediate suspension of the chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri for a period of six months.
The House also recommended for the immediate swearing in of the deputy chairman to take over the leadership of the Otukpo council.
Speaker of the House, Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, presided over the plenary when the decision was taken following a report of the Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs after interactions with the embattled chairman over alleged diversion of government funds to his private account and his illegal closure of the local government legislative chambers.
The House therefore frowned at the misappropriation and diversion of funds, harassment of councilors and closure of the Legislative Chamber and called for his immediate suspension.
Meanwhile, the House constituted a five man panel chaired by Bemdoo Ipusu, with Michael Audu, Cyril Ekong, Solomon Gyila, Berger Alfred as members while Bem Abunde will serve as secretary.
Among other things, the panel would be expected to investigate the activities of the council, security, and chieftaincy affairs committee and submit its report to the House within one week.
