Nigeria’s Benue extends Neji’s suspension by six months
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
The Benue State Assembly, in central Nigeria, extended the six-month suspension of Kwande district chairman Vitalis Neji, who faces allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power. Acting chairwoman Rita Iortsor remains in office until the investigation is completed, Punch reports.
The Benue State House of Assembly in Nigeria has extended Vitalis Neji’s suspension by six months, the chairman of the Kwande local government, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. The motion was presented on Thursday during a plenary session in Makurdi by Majority Leader Bemdoo Ipusu and supported by Minority Leader Isaac Ochekliye, Punch reports.
Acting chairwoman of Kwande, Rita Iortsor, will continue to perform the duties of chairwoman until the conclusion of the investigation ordered by the assembly, according to Punch. Neji was first suspended on 20 August for three months after the review of an interim report by a special committee tasked with investigating the allegations against him.
During that previous proceeding, Peter Ipusu, then majority leader and chairman of the committee, said Neji had appeared before investigators without managing to respond satisfactorily to the allegations. The assembly subsequently recommended his immediate suspension to allow the investigations to continue, according to Punch.
