Benue Assembly Moves To Suspend Kwande LG Chairman Over Alleged Misconduct

The Benue State House of Assembly has commenced moves that could lead to the suspension of the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, Vitalis Terhile Neji, following a petition alleging gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The development came days after Neji resigned as chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue State chapter, with the chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Council, Justine Shaku, taking over the leadership of the association.

The Assembly received the petition against Neji during Tuesday’s plenary, prompting the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, to constitute an ad-hoc committee to investigate the allegations.

The committee was directed to conclude its assignment and report back to the House within 48 hours, according to a statement issued by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Zape Michael Upaa.

The statement said the Assembly had “received a petition against Executive Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, Hon. Vitalis Terhile Neji, over gross misconduct and abuse of office.”

The petition and subsequent investigation have placed the council chairman under fresh political and administrative pressure following his recent departure as ALGON chairman.

The Assembly’s action is expected to determine whether the allegations warrant further disciplinary measures against Neji or any other action within its constitutional powers.

The House is expected to consider the findings of the ad-hoc committee when it receives the report within the stipulated 48-hour period.