By Our Editor
The Chairman of Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Eghe Ogbemudia, has been impeached over alleged padding of council’s supplementary budget and other corruption allegations.
Eghe is a daughter of former Governor of defunct Mid-West Region and Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia of blessed memory.
The impeachment was consequent upon a vote of no confidence against her during a session of the Legislative Arm of the Council held Wednesday morning.
The impeachment proceedings was presided by Leader of the House and Councillor representing Ward 3, Godwin Uwadiae Edigin.
Shortly after a roll call of the Legislative House members, the Councillor representing Ward 2, Stella Osagioduwa Ogida, moved a motion of 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 Councils supplementary budget to the tune of N1.7 billion.
“The Chairman did not involve the Councilors in the preparation and approval of the Councils 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.”
The motion was supported by Ambassador Elliot Inneh, the Councillor representing Ward 9, who said: “We have tried to reach out to the Honourable Chairman to no avail. Before us today, we have a budget proposal amounting to N6.054 billion 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 N7.896 billion.”
Consequent upon the foregoing, 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.
On October 10, 2020, Eghe Ogbemudia was also suspended from office by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
When contacted for a reaction, the embattled Council Chairman did not pick her calls, neither did she respond to text message sent to her as at press time.