The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended five of its members for allegedly shielding the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, from legislative sanctions.
The suspension, which will last for three legislative sittings, was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by Terver Zamber, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House.
According to the statement, the affected lawmakers being Hon. Shimawua Terna, Hon. Mathew Damkor, Hon. Cephas Dyako, Hon. Moses Egbodo, and Hon. Isaac Echekliye, were all members of the House Standing Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Zamber explained that the committee had submitted a report on the activities of the Otukpo LG Chairman but allegedly altered its contents to conceal the chairman’s misconduct.
“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 report, the House constituted a five-member ad hoc committee led by Hon. Ipusu to conduct a fresh investigation into the matter.
Following preliminary findings, the Assembly accused the committee members of attempting to suppress evidence of alleged misappropriation, abuse of office, and the unlawful closure of the Otukpo Legislative Chamber, actions reportedly linked to the embattled council chairman.
“The suspension was necessary to maintain the integrity of legislative oversight and ensure accountability at all levels of government,” the statement said.
The ad hoc committee is expected to present its findings in the coming days.