JUST-IN: Benue Assembly Suspends 5 Lawmakers

The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended five of its members for allegedly altering a committee report to shield the Chairman of Otukpo local government area, Maxwell Ogiri, from sanctions.

The suspension, which will last for three legislative sittings, was announced on Tuesday in a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Terver Zamber.

According to the statement, the affected lawmakers include Hon. Shimawua Terna, Hon. Mathew Damkor, Hon. Cephas Dyako, Hon. Moses Egbodo, and Hon. Isaac Echekliye.

All the five lawmakers are members of the House Standing Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs.

According to Zamber, the lawmakers were suspended for tampering with the committee’s report during its presentation on the House floor.

The report, which focused on alleged misconduct by the Otukpo council chairman, reportedly deviated from the committee’s original findings.

“During the presentation of the report on the floor of the House, the chairman and members of the committee deviated from the real findings,” the statement read.

Dissatisfied with the altered report, the Assembly set up a five-member ad-hoc committee led by Hon. Elias Ipusu to conduct further investigations into the matter.

The House said the suspended lawmakers were being penalised for “covering the truth” about allegations of misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, and the unlawful closure of the Otukpo Legislative Chamber, actions allegedly perpetrated by the Chairman.