The Senate of the 27th Assembly of the Students’ Union Government, Ebonyi State University, has issued a notice of impeachment and vote of no confidence against the President of the Students’ Union Government.
In the notice seen by Studentsdash, the Senate said the decision was reached after a duly constituted sitting of the House, following several petitions and complaints submitted against the SUG President.
According to the document, the petitions were said to have come from the Office of the Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Igboke Chidera G., the Secretary General, Comrade Ogbonna Chukwudi Egwu, the Directorate of Welfare, Comrade Mbamoke Kenneth, other members of the Executive Council, and concerned stakeholders of the Students’ Union Government.
Studentsdash gathered that the allegations raised against the President include gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial impropriety, dereliction of duty, and failure to properly discharge the responsibilities attached to the office of the SUG President.
The Senate stated that, in line with the principle of fair hearing, the President was formally invited to appear before the House to respond to the allegations and defend his conduct in office. However, according to the notice, he failed to honour the invitation and did not provide any satisfactory explanation for his absence.
Following his failure to appear before the House, the Senate said it proceeded to review the petitions, reports, evidence, and submissions presented before it.
Some of the allegations listed in the notice include the collection of ₦17,000 each from eleven members of the Executive Council for a proposed courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, without the said visit being carried out and without satisfactory accountability for the funds collected.
The Senate also alleged misappropriation and unauthorized expenditure of Students’ Union Government funds, as well as failure to account for the sum of ₦600,000 reportedly granted to the Students’ Union Government by the University Management.
Other allegations include repeated expenditure and authorization of union funds without due approval, proper documentation, or financial accountability.
The Senate further accused the President of failing to convene and preside over Executive Council meetings for a period exceeding six months, which it said affected the activities of the Executive Arm of the Students’ Union Government.
Studentsdash also noted that the notice listed inaccessibility to elected officers and stakeholders, failure to discharge official responsibilities, and taking unilateral decisions without proper consultation or approval from the appropriate organs of government.
Another allegation raised was that the President allegedly organized programmes and attended functions outside the state without the approval of the Senate, including an arrangement involving SUG Presidents from the South East and South South to pay a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor without informing other SUG officials.
After considering the petitions and findings, the Senate said it determined that the allegations amounted to gross misconduct and a serious breach of the trust and confidence reposed in the office of the President by the students.
The motion for impeachment and vote of no confidence was moved by Distinguished Senator Ereke Precious and seconded by Distinguished Senator Abba Goodluck.
According to the notice, the motion was deliberated upon by the House and was adopted with more than two-thirds of the Senate members present and voting.
Following the resolution, the Senate declared that the President no longer enjoys the confidence of the Legislative Arm of the Students’ Union Government.
The Senate therefore passed a vote of no confidence in his leadership and resolved that he be impeached from the office of the President of the Students’ Union Government.
The notice also directed him to immediately hand over the affairs of the Students’ Union Government to the Vice President and cease performing all functions attached to the office of the President.
He was further directed to return all Students’ Union Government and University properties, documents, records, and other official materials in his possession within forty-eight hours of receiving the resolution.
The Senate warned that failure to comply with the resolution may attract further constitutional and administrative action.
According to the document, the resolution was made pursuant to Chapter IV, Section 39(1) of the Constitution of the Students’ Union Government, having satisfied the constitutional requirement of legislative consideration, quorum, and the approval of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Senate.
The notice was signed by the Senate President, Marvelous Elochukwu, and the Deputy Clerk of the Senate, Ekagu John.
The signatories listed in the document include Awoke Cyprian O., Ereke Precious, Nwebonyi Nnabuike, Daniel Valentine, Eze Felicia, Chukwuemeka Johnfavourite, Obioma Victor, Abba Goodluck, Udenyi Augustine, Ezeakolam Chidera Emmanuel, and Onwe Colins.
Studentsdash will continue to follow the matter and share verified updates with students as more information becomes available.
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation!