Lawmakers in Orhionmon Local Government Area of Edo State now find it difficult to return to Nigeria from Italy, where the council chairman had reportedly taken them to for a retreat.
The Edo State House of Assembly, acting on a letter received from the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, had, on Monday, announced the suspension of the council chairman, along with that of Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state.
While the council chairman was said to have heard of his planned suspension and immediately returned to the country, the lawmakers have not been able to return to Nigeria for a reason someone close to the council described as logistics.
Trouble started for the now embattled chairman when youths in the council, under the umbrella of Orhionmwon Youths Congress, (OYC), staged a protest last week against alleged looting and wasteful spending of fund meant for the council by the chairman.
The protesting youths carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Stop looting Orhionmwon’s treasury,’ ‘Develop Abudu now,’ ‘Probe Ibierutowhen,’ and others said their action was informed by information that Ibierutowhen had abandoned his duty at Abudu and had travelled to Italy with his wife, children and council lawmakers.
Mr John Osazuwa, leader of the youths, said they had written a letter to the state governor and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the many corrupt practices going on in the council, since Ibierutowhen took office in April this year.
Source: Tribune
