Egor LGA Chairman Impeached Over N1.7bn Budget Padding, Other Acts of Misconduct
From Imafidon OSAZUA (Benin)
The Chairman of Egor Local Government Council and daughter of the former defunct Midwestern State,Late General Samuel Ogbemudia, Hon Eghe Ogbemudia, has been impeached by the legislative arm of the Council, accusing her of gross misconduct.
Hon Eghe’s impeachment looks like the first casualty of the Supreme Court financial autonomy to local government.
Ogbemudia was impeached over alleged 1. 7 budget padding of the council’s supplementary budget and other allegations of corruption consequent upon a vote of no confidence passed against the chairman during a session of the legislative arm of the council.
The impeachment sitting was presided over by the Leader of the House and Councillor representing Ward 3, Godwin Uwadiae Edigin.
Shortly after a roll call of the legislative house, the Councillor representing Ward 2, Rt. Hon. Stella Osagioduwa Ogida, moved a motion for a no confidence vote against the chairman over allegations of gross misconduct.
According to her, “this is the 10th month since our inauguration and we, the councilors of Egor legislative arm do not have our offices. We have also uncovered the padding of the council’s supplementary budget to the tune of N1.7 billion.
“The Chairman did not involve the councilors in the preparation and approval of the council’s supplementary budget. After reviewing these actions and many other acts of gross misconduct, I want to pass a vote of no confidence on the chairman.”
Seconding the motion, Hon. Ambassador Elliot Inneh, councilor representing Ward 9, said: “We have tried to reach out to the Honourable Chairman to no avail. Before us today, we have a budget proposal amounting to N6.054bn that was passed through this hallowed chambers. To our greatest surprise, we found out that the Chairman in connivance with the erstwhile Leader of the House, went behind our back and padded the budget to the tune of N7.896bn.”
The Leader of the House, Edigin, called for a voice vote, with the majority of councilors conceding to the motion. A motion for impeachment was thereafter moved and passed.
