The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended five members for allegedly tampering with a committee report on the activities of the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri.

Naijaonpoint reports that the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Terver Zamber, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the lawmakers were suspended for three sittings.

Those affected include the Honourable Shimawua Terna, the Honourable Mathew Damkor, the Honourable Cephas Dyako, the Honourable Moses Egbodo, and the Honourable Isaac Echekliye, all members of the House Standing Committee on Local Government, Security, and Chieftaincy Affairs.

According to the statement, the committee allegedly altered its findings during the presentation of its report on the House floor, failing to reflect the actual situation in Otukpo LGA.

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

Dissatisfied with the report, the Assembly established a five-member ad hoc committee, chaired by Hon. Ipusu, to conduct a fresh investigation.

“Accordingly, the House suspended the members of the entire committee for three sittings for covering the truth on the misappropriation, abuse of office, and closure of the Legislative Chamber by the Otukpo Local Government Chairman to protect him from punishment,” the statement added.