Speaker Aliyu Yusuf made the announcement during the Assembly’s plenary session, confirming that Onuche’s actions were said to have damaged the image of the state government. As a result, the House decided to suspend him while an investigation into the allegations is carried out.

During this period, Onuche is required to hand over the administration of the local government to his deputy, Mrs. Victoria Okolo, until the probe concludes. The lawmakers stressed that the investigation would not be fair or thorough if Onuche remained in office.

A five-member committee has been set up to investigate the charges. The committee, led by Hon. Bode Ogunmola, who represents Ogori-Magongo, has been given a one-month deadline to complete its investigation and present a report. Other members of the committee include Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye (Ijumu), Hon. Asema Baba Haruna (Adavi), Hon. Anthony Ujah (Olamaboro), and Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani (Lokoja 1), with Muhammed Bello serving as the committee’s clerk.

In other developments, Wednesday’s plenary saw three members of the Kogi House of Assembly defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors include Bode Ogunmola (Ogori-Magongo), who left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Idowu Ibikunle (Yagba East) from the ADC, and Sunday Daku (Bassa), also from the PDP.

Source: Punch