Benue Assembly suspends former Majority, Minority leaders for gross misconduct

The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended two of its former leaders  Mr. Saater Tiseer (APC, Mbagwa), former Majority Leader, and Mr. Michael Audu (PDP, Adoka-Ugboju), former Minority Leader over allegations of gross misconduct. Tiseer was suspended for six months, while Audu received a three-month suspension.

The decision came after a motion was moved by the current Majority Leader, Mr. Thomas Dugeri (APC, Kwande West), during plenary in Makurdi. Dugeri stated that the conduct of the two former leaders while in office had brought disrepute to the Assembly.

He explained that an ad hoc committee set up to investigate the activities of the former leadership found both men guilty of using their positions for personal gain an act deemed inconsistent with the oaths of office and membership they had sworn to uphold.

Dugeri further stressed that the Assembly has a duty to discipline any member found guilty of misconduct or negligence that could damage the institution’s reputation.

The motion was seconded by Dr. Elias Audu (APC, Gwer East), who underscored the importance of maintaining stability within the Assembly.

“When the House is not stable, the state will be unstable,” he said, urging the Assembly to form a special committee to collaborate with the Ethics Committee and further investigate the matter.

In his ruling, Speaker Mr. Alfred Emberga stated that the suspension of the two former leaders should serve as a deterrent to others.