Oshiomhole suspends four council chairmen over alleged malpractices

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has suspended four local council chairmen over non-payment of staff salaries, alleged diversion of funds, among others.

The affected council chiefs include Honourables Emmanuel Momoh of Etsako Central Local Council; Victor Enobakhare (Egor); Osaro Obazee (Oredo) and Roland Ibierutomwen (Orhionmwon).

In a letter yesterday to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, he said: “I am directed by the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole to inform you that in compliance with the relevant sections of the Local Government Act which mandate consultation with the Edo State House of Assembly, the governor wishes to inform Mr. Speaker and members of the House that the underlisted local government chairmen are hereby suspended from office with effect from today (yesterday), Tuesday, October 6, 2015.

“Their suspension, which is for two months, is to pave the way for unhindered investigation into several allegations against the chairmen which include non-payment of staff salaries without satisfactory explanations, inability to account for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), diversion of funds, failure to follow due process in the award of contracts as well as illegal employment of senior officers without going through the Local Government Service Commission, which is a violation of laid-down provisions.

“In the meantime, during the period of suspension, relevant panels would be constituted to investigate the allegations against the affected chairmen.

“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform the Honourable Speaker and the House, of this development for record purpose,” Ihonvbere stated.