By Ogochukwu Isioma in Benin City
The Legislative arm of Egor Local Government Area in Edo State has impeached the council’s chairman, Hon. Eghe Ogbemudia, over alleged padding of the council’s supplementary budget and other allegations of corruption.
The impeachment was consequent upon a vote of no confidence 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 Councillors 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, Councillor 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 Councillors conceding to the motion. A motion for impeachment was thereafter moved and passed.
