15th December, 2014
The Chairman of Igboeze-North Local Government Area of Enugu state, Mr Bonaventure Onu, has been impeached.
Onu was removed from office on Monday by the legislative arm of the council on allegation of misappropriation and embezzlement of funds.
The councillors also impeached the Vice Chairman, Mr Celestine Ezeugwu, over same alleged offences against the chairman.
NAN reports that 19 of the 20 councillors in the council signed the impeachment notice. The notice was served on the former chairman about two weeks ago after the councillors concluded study of the report of the seven-member committee set up by the Chief Judge of the state to look into the allegations.
After the impeachment, the councillors appointed their leader, Mr Onyekachi Itodo, as the acting chairman of the council. The councillors ordered the impeached chairman to hand over all council’s property in his possession to the acting chairman with immediate effect.
They said the impeachment of the chairman became necessary since the report of seven-member committee indicted him on non-implementation and execution of 2014 budget of the council.
The committee’s report indicted the chairman for the misappropriation of N50 million, which he claimed was used in building primary schools in Aji, Umuaida, Enugu Ezike, Amauafu and Ahabe.
According to the report, findings revealed that no primary school was built in any of the communities claimed by the chairman. It also indicted the chairman of embezzlement of N30 million earmarked for the improvement of the environment in the area.
The report also accused the chairman of abuse of office and non-compliance to due process, especially on the award of contract and execution of chairman’s lodge in the area.
NAN also reports that the impeachment was conducted amidst tight security by law enforcement agents.