Controversy Trails Impeachment of Edo LG Chairman by Councillors 

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City 

Controversy has trailed the impeachment of the Chairman of Egor Local Government Council in Edo State, Eghe Ogbemudia, and the vice chairman, Mr. Frank Osawe by the legislative arm of the council.

As a replacement, the Leader of the legislative arm of the council, Kelvin Eguakun, was sworn in as the acting chairman.

Ogbemudia and Osawe were impeached based on alleged gross misconduct – abuse of office, financial misappropriation, unlawful withholding of statutory allowances of a principal member and three other council members, as well as budget padding.

According to a statement from the acting chairman, the motion for the impeachment was moved by Nosakhare Isiegbuwa and seconded by Stella Ogida Osagioduwa.

The statement added: “The impeachment proceedings were formally documented in the Edo State Government Gazette, notifying the affected officials of the initiation of impeachment proceedings in line with the Edo LG Bye-law on Pro-Action Notices, Legislative Privileges, and Impeachment Procedures for Elected Council Officials, 2024.”

Sequel to the impeachment of the council chairman and her vice chairman, the legislative council had earlier suspended its leadership, under Bosede Omokaro (Leader), Iwinosa Enabulele (Majority Leader), and Ambassador Elliot Inneh Enni (Chief Whip).

Subsequently, the new leadership with Kelvin Eguakun as Leader acted swiftly upon receiving a signed petition from four council members calling for the removal of the local government chairman and vice chairman.

In a counter statement however, the Chairman of Egor Local Government Area, Ogbemudia has denied her purported impeachment and that of her vice, Franco Osawe by the elected councillors of the Council.

A statement she issued on Friday night said external forces were pushing a minority number of the council to remove her so that they could get access to the council treasury.

According to the statement, “I am a democrat and a strong advocate of the rule of law. Because of my background, I have never obstructed, and I will never interfere with the constitutional roles of the councillors in my local government area.

“The purported impeachment was carried out by a minority of councillors, and not founded on any known laws or provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria.

    “I am using this medium to appeal to the good people of Egor Local Government Area to maintain law and order and disregard the unlawful action of these minority councillors.

She said the Edo State High Court had set aside the unlawful suspension of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Local Governments in Edo State on the strength of the Constitution in addition to the judgment of the Supreme Court affirming their independence.

She said: “The purported impeachment of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Egor Local Government Area by a handful of councilors is a distraction, illegal and it is of no effect.”