Thirteen members of the Benue State House of Assembly have been suspended for engaging in what has been described as dishonourable actions that risk undermining the integrity of the House and fostering discord among its members.
The suspended members are required to return the funds allocated for their planned foreign trip, as they will no longer be undertaking the journey.
A statement from Terver Zambe, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, revealed that the House strongly condemned the dishonourable conduct of Douglas Akya, the representative for Makurdi South Constituency, along with the other twelve members. Notably, after voting for the removal of the State Chief Judge, Maurice Ikpambase, some of these members held a press conference to deny having supported the motion.
During a previous session, Majority Leader Saater Tiseer recalled that the House had received a complaint from the Attorney-General detailing serious allegations against the Chief Judge, including gross misconduct, abuse of office, bribery, and corruption. Following extensive deliberation, the House convened a division in which 23 out of the 31 members present voted to support the recommendation for the Judge’s removal.
Tiseer pointed out that after the House had reached a decision on this matter, the thirteen suspended members, some of whom had voted in favour of the Judge’s removal, publicly distanced themselves from the very process they had participated in, which violated Order IX, Rule 58(6) of the House Standing Rules.
The Majority Leader stressed that the actions of these members were not only dishonourable but also appeared to be an afterthought, reflecting a disingenuous stance that could incite discord and discredit the House. He called for their suspension for a period of three months.
Those suspended include Douglas Akya (Makurdi South), Jonathan Agbidye (Katsina-Ala East), Beckie Orpin (Gboko East), Simon Gabo (Ushongo-Mata), Williams Ortyom (Agasha), Onah Blessed (Oju I), and Elias Audu (Gwer East), as well as Anyor Mato (Kwande East), Manger Manger (Tarka), Solomon Gyila (Gwer West), Samuel Agada (Ogbadibo), Abraham Jabi (Buruku), and Ezra Nyiyongo (Ukum).
