By Olatunde Odimayo.
The Kogi State House of Assembly has suspended fives local government administrators for gross misconduct in the state.
The suspension of the five local government administrators came in a matter of urgent public importance raised before the floor of the house by the member representing Igalamela-Odolu constituency, Elder Friday Sanni accusing the administrators of misappropriating local government funds.
The affected local government administrators are Okwoli Baron of Igalamela-Odolu, Moses Akande of Ogori-Magongo, Taofiq Isah of Ijumu, Moses Olorunlek of Kabba Bunu and Abdulkareem Ohiare of Okehi. The embattled leaders where directed to handover to their secretary pending the conclusion of the house investigation.
Honorable Sanni, while quoting section 98 of the Nigeria constitution, told his colleagues that the embattled chairmen abandoned their primary obligations for their own personal gains.
He explained to the house that the five local council helmsmen has continued to spend from the local government account without appropriation.
The lawmaker prayed that upon their suspension, the five local government administrators should handover to their secretary, while his secretary oversee the affair of the local government pending when investigation are concluded.
Seconding the motion, Abayomi Pedro from Mopamuro said it is time the house kicks off with his oversight function by doing the needful suggestions that the aforementioned administrators should be suspended.
Yagba-West lawmaker, Honourable Oluwatoyin Lawal in his own part, said the constitution recognize check and balance and separation of power noting that on several occasions, the embattled chairman were invited to answer questions from the house but they ignored the call.
He maintained that section 12 of the house gives the lawmakers power to investigate political office holders when need arises.
Another lawmaker, John Abba from Ibaji constituency pointed that it was obvious and evidence by the actions of this local government administrators since they were appointed. He said the suspension of this five will serve as a note of warning to others who intend to follow parts to loot local government treasury.
Jimoh Omiata of Yagba East also pointed that the embattled administrators also failed to render their monthly financial accounting.
But the Chief Whip, Honourable Sanni Kekere, opposed the position of his colleagues which was strongly rejected by two third of the members present.
The house resolved to suspend the law maker for four weeks pending the outcome of investigation by the joint committee on account and local government.
In another development, the house committee on education has been directed to go on the spot assessment to inspect all the facilities of tertiary institutions in the state.
