The Executive Chairman of Ika South Local Government Council, Hon. Hilary Ibude was on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 suspended from office for 3 months by the Delta State House of Assembly, on allegation of breach of the financial memoranda of the council.
The suspension order was sequel to a motion moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Account, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme and seconded by Hon. Efe Afe, which was unanimously adopted by the house.
Moving the motion, Hon. Funkekeme said his committee on scrutinizing the account of Ika South Local Government Council observed traces of fraud in the income and expenditure of the council.
Hon. Funkekeme, who disclosed that the council chairman had earlier been indicted for financial impropriety by an independent body of investigators set up to look into the accounts of the council, said the suspension was necessary to enable the House Committee on Public Accounts scrutinize the council accounts without hindrance.
In a related development, the Ika South Local Government Legislative Arm has suspended four councilors for allegedly violating their oaths of allegiance.
The suspended councilors include Hon. Joseph Enumah, Hon. Henry Aghulor, Hon. Sunny Ndidi Onotor and Hon. Grace Nkemachor.
Motion for the suspension of the four councilors which was moved by Hon. Fidelis Igumbor during the legislative proceeding of the house on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 was seconded by Hon. Onyeka Nwagbogun.
Having unanimously adopted the motion, the leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Alexander Azeru constituted a five man adhoc committee to probe the allegations against the suspended members of the house and the committee was given one week to submit its report.
During the sitting, the Deputy Leader of the house, Hon. Kenneth Isibor moved a motion for a vote of implicit confidence on the Chairman of the Council, Hon. Hilary Ibude which was supported by Hon. Onyeka Nwagbogun and the motion was unanimously adopted by the 11 councilors that were present at the sitting.
Members of the Legislative Arm also passed a vote of confidence on the Hon. Alexander Azeru led Leadership of the house while urging the Chairman of the council, Hon. Hilary Ibude to recall the suspended Supervisory Councilor for Environment, Hon. Victor Okocha through a motion moved by Hon. Kenneth Isibor and seconded by Hon. Fidelis Igumbor which was unanimously adopted.
Before adjourning sitting for the day, the house unanimously resolved that the legislative bus should be returned to the Majority Leader of the House.
Meanwhile, the house has condemned the suspension of the Ika South Council Chairman by the State House of Assembly. In a motion moved by Hon. Onyeka Marvis Nwagbogun and seconded by Hon. Ignatius Agboile, the house noted that there was no reason for such action, pointing out that the executive Chairman has been piloting the affairs of the local government council with utmost responsibility and commitment. The house therefore reaffirmed its earlier vote of confidence passed on the Chairman, saying that the council boss has performed creditably well to the admiration of the people.
The house also used the opportunity to approve the budget adjustment estimate presented by the executive arm, following a motion moved by Hon. Agboile and seconded by Hon. Fidelis Igumbor.
Leave a Reply