The Benue State House of Assembly Tuesday suspended five members for three legislative sittings after they were found to have omitted critical details from an investigative report into alleged financial misconduct by the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA), Mr. Maxwell Ogiri.
The suspension came during Tuesday’s plenary following the submission of findings by an ad-hoc committee tasked with probing the House Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Legislator Solomon Gyila (APC/Gwer West) accused the committee of excluding vital information, including claims that Ogiri diverted council funds and sold government property.
Tensions rose as Alfred Berger (APC/Makurdi North) called for a more severe punishment, three months’ suspension for committee chairman Terna Shimawua (APC/Kyan), who he accused of concealing incriminating revelations.
Meanwhile, Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) recommended that security forces take control of Otukpo council premises to prevent further unrest.
However, Elias Audu (APC/Gwer East) cautioned against hastily suspending lawmakers, suggesting they be removed from the committee rather than being barred from the Assembly.
Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh ultimately ruled that the implicated members be suspended for three legislative sittings.
He also announced that he would personally oversee the committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs moving forward.
Dajoh emphasised that local government chairmen do not have the authority to shut down legislative chambers.
The affected members include:Terna Shimawua (APC/Kyan), Matthew Damkor (APC/Tiev), Cephas Dyako (APC/Konshisha), Moses Egbodo (APC/Obi), and Isaac Ochekyele (PDP/Ohimini).