By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Kogi State House of Assembly on Wednesday suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Emmanuel Onuche, over alleged gross misconduct.
The Speaker of the House, Aliyu Yusuf, announced the suspension during Wednesday’s plenary.
Onuche was alleged to have undertaken actions capable of tarnishing the image of the state government and was asked to step aside pending an investigation into the allegations.
The local government chairman has been directed to hand over the affairs of the council to his deputy, Mrs Victoria Okolo, until the conclusion of the probe.
According to the lawmakers, an effective investigation into the allegations against the embattled chairman will not be possible if he remains in office.
Consequently, the Speaker constituted a five-member committee, headed by Hon. Bode Ogunmola, member representing Ogori-Magongo, to investigate the allegations against Onuche.
The House gave the committee one month to complete its assignment and report back for necessary action.
Other members of the committee include Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye (Ijumu), Hon. Asema Baba Haruna (Adavi), Anthony Ujah (Olamaboro), and Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani (Lokoja 1), with Muhammed Bello serving as clerk of the committee.
Meanwhile, three members of the Kogi House of Assembly defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during Wednesday’s plenary.
The defectors are Bode Ogunmola (PDP – Ogori/Magongo), Idowu Ibikunle (ADC – Yagba East), and Sunday Daku (PDP – Bassa).
(NAN)