The Benue House of Assembly has suspended 13 members from their legislative duties due to dishonorable conduct.
The suspension followed a motion introduced by Majority Leader Saater Tiseer during Wednesday’s plenary in Makurdi.
Tiseer emphasized that the assembly, like any other legislature, was meant to consist of honorable individuals.
He explained that 31 members of the house had received a complaint from the state’s attorney-general’s office on Tuesday, which detailed allegations against Justice Maurice Ikpambese, the state’s Chief Judge, including gross misconduct, abuse of office, bribery, and corruption.
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After extensive deliberations, the house voted, with 23 out of 31 members supporting the recommendation to remove Ikpambese as Chief Judge and appoint the next in line as acting Chief Judge.
Following this, 13 members who had supported the recommendation later distanced themselves from the process, which Tiseer described as violating Standing Order 9, Rule 58 (6) of the house.
This rule states that any attempt to reconsider a decision that the house has already concluded must be done through a substantive motion for rescission.
Tiseer condemned the actions of these members, calling them dishonorable and deceptive, stating they could lead to unnecessary conflict and damage the house’s reputation.
The suspended members are: Mr. Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South), Mr. Jonathan Agbidye (APC/Katsina-Ala East), Mrs. Beckie Orpin (APC/Gboko East), Mr. Simon Gabo (APC/Mata), Mr. William Ortyom (PDP/Agasha), Mr. Emmanuel Onah (PDP/Oju I), Mr. Elias Audu (APC/Gwer East), Mr. Anyor Matu (APC/Kwande East), Mr. Manger Manger (APC/Tarka), Mr. Solomon Gyila (APC/Gwer West), Mr. Samuel Agada (APC/Ogbadibo), Mr. Abraham Jabi (APC/Buruku), and Mr. Ezra Nyiyongo (APC/Ukum).
Peter Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala West), who seconded the motion, accused the suspended members of mischief, noting they had actively participated in the debate and voted for the removal of the Chief Judge, only to later deny their involvement.
He proposed that the suspended members should return any funds allocated to them for a foreign trip, as they would no longer be traveling.
Alfred Berger (APC/Makurdi North) criticized the suspended members for disparaging the Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, and the house.
He suggested that they should publicly acknowledge their participation in the legislative process before their suspension could be lifted.
Lastly, Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) urged that the suspension be reduced to one month.
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