The Kogi State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Emmanuel Onuche, over alleged gross misconduct and actions capable of tarnishing the image of the state.

The suspension of the council chairman was announced during the House plenary on Wednesday.

Consequently, the house directed Hon. Onuche to hand over the affairs of the council to the Vice Chairman, Victoria Okolo, pending the conclusion of investigations into his case.

The House resolved that an in-depth investigation into the allegations against the chairman will not be possible while he remains in office.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, constituted a five-member committee headed by Hon. Bode Ogunmola representing Ogori-Magogo Constituency to investigate the allegations against the suspended chairman.

Other members of the committee are Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye, (Ijumu) Hon. Asema Baba Haruna, (Adavi), Anthony Ujah, (Olamaboro) and Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani, (Lokoja 1) while Muhammed Bello is to serve as clerk of the committee.

The committee is expected to submit its report within one month.

Meanwhile, three members of the Kogi State House of Assembly have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The defected lawmakers include, Hon. Bode Ogunmola (PDP – Ogori/Magongo), Hon. Idowu Ibikunle (ADC – Yagba East), and Hon. Sunday Daku (PDP – Bassa).

The defection of the three lawmakers from opposition parties to APC has made the ruling party to have all the 25 lawmakers in the house. (Daily Trust)