The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended five members for three legislative sittings over their alleged manipulation of an investigative report concerning Otukpo Local Government Chairman Maxwell Ogiri.
The suspended lawmakers include Shimawua Terna, Mathew Damkor, Cephas Dyako, Moses Egbodo, and Isaac Echekliye – all members of the House Standing Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The assembly had originally tasked the committee with investigating allegations of fund misappropriation and abuse of office against Chairman Ogiri. However, during the presentation of their findings, the committee members reportedly deviated from their actual discoveries, prompting the assembly’s disapproval.
Dissatisfied with the report, the House established a five-member ad-hoc committee led by Ipusu to conduct a fresh investigation and uncover the true situation. The assembly subsequently resolved to suspend all the standing committee members for allegedly concealing facts about the financial misconduct and abuse of office allegations.
The suspension specifically relates to accusations that the committee members attempted to shield Chairman Ogiri from accountability, including his alleged closure of the local government’s legislative chamber to avoid scrutiny. The three-sitting suspension serves as disciplinary action for what the assembly deemed a breach of legislative responsibility and an attempt to obstruct a proper investigation into local government affairs.
This development underscores ongoing efforts to ensure accountability in local government administration while maintaining the integrity of legislative oversight functions in Benue State. The ad-hoc committee is expected to present its findings to the assembly in the coming days.
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