Benue Assembly extends LG chairman’s suspension by six months

The Benue State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of Kwande Local Government Area Chairman, Mr Vitalis Neji, by another six months due to charges of serious misconduct and abuse of office. Majority Leader, Mr Bemdoo Ipusu, moved the motion on Thursday during plenary in Makurdi, which was seconded by Minority Leader, Mr Isaac Ochekliye. Speaker, Mr Alfred Emberga, approved the motion and instructed acting Chairman, Mrs Rita Iortsor, to remain in her role until the investigation wraps up.

Neji was initially suspended on August 20 for three months after an interim report from an ad hoc committee established by the House to probe allegations against him. At the earlier plenary, Majority Leader Mr Peter Ipusu, who chaired the committee, stated that Neji had appeared before the panel but failed to convincingly refute the accusations. Consequently, the House voted in favor of Neji's suspension, and Speaker Emberga immediately implemented the decision to allow for further investigation.