The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benue Assembly

  • ‎JUST IN: Benue Assembly suspends two members

    ‎JUST IN: Benue Assembly suspends two members

    The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended its former Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, and former Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Michael Audu, over alleged gross misconduct deemed capable of undermining the unity and integrity of the House.

    The decision was taken during plenary on Friday, presided over by Speaker Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga.

    The two former principal officers were accused of abusing their positions for personal gain, in violation of the House’s Standing Orders.

    Moving the motion, the current Majority Leader, Hon. Thomas Dugeri, said the conduct of the former leaders had brought the House into disrepute.

    He explained that an ad-hoc committee investigating their activities found them guilty of misusing their offices in ways incompatible with their oaths of office and membership.

    READ ALSO: NIIA, Korean Embassy seek deeper economic cooperation between Nigeria, Korea

    Following the committee’s indictment, the House suspended Hon. Saater Tiseer for six months and Hon. Michael Audu for three months to serve as a deterrent to others.

    In a related development, the Assembly also removed Miss Dorcas Faeren Mbatiav as a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission for gross misconduct and misuse of office.

    According to the motion moved by Hon. Shimawua Terna of Kyan Constituency, Mbatiav was found to be leaking confidential information of the Commission, an act which violates Section 6(2) of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2018.

    Members also noted that she lacked the required public service background stipulated in Section 5(2)(c) of the law.

    Lawmakers argued that her continued stay on the Commission posed a threat to its credibility and set a dangerous precedent.

    The House consequently voted unanimously to relieve her of the appointment to safeguard the integrity of the Commission.

  • New principal officers for Benue Assembly

    New principal officers for Benue Assembly

    • Council chair accused of suspending legislative business•Chai: hall for renovation

    The Benue State House of Assembly has dissolved its leadership and appointed new principal officers for the majority and minority caucuses.

    In a statement yesterday, Press Secretary to the Speaker, Zape Michael Upaa, said the changes were designed to strengthen legislative business and enhance coordination within the House.

    Thomas Dugeri is now Majority Leader, with Abraham Jabi, as Deputy Majority Leader. Cyril Ikong becomes Majority Chief Whip, while Simon Gabo takes the post of Deputy Majority Whip.

    Abu Umoro has been named Minority Leader, supported by Cephase Dyako as Deputy Minority Leader. Samuel Jiji is the new Minority Whip, while Moses Egbodo assumes the role of Deputy Minority Whip.

    The Assembly assured that further details on the reorganisation would be communicated later.

    Also, the Legislative arm of Otukpo Local Government Area has accused the Chairman, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, of suspending their business. But Ogiri denied the allegation, saying it took the cation in public interest.

    Read Also: Bauchi, Gombe mothers strike home-grown solutions to child malnutrition

    Leader of the Legislature, Philip Anya, in a petition to the state Assembly, said the chairman suspended the legislative business for insecurity.

    In a letter dated September 8, signed by the Secretary to the Local Government, Simon Idenyi, directed the councillors to make use of social media for their legislative business for now

    The letter read: “While the chairman is very much mindful of the fact that the postponement will affect the smooth running of the legislative arm for the time being, he, therefore, cannot take the security advice for granted.

    “In view of this, the chairman wishes to advise the legislature to explore other platforms such as Whatsapp, Facebook etc to enhance legislative business for the time being.”

    The members alleged that the chairman also ignored the directive of the governor and the deputy governor  to maintain the status quo on the earlier removal of the leader of the House.

    The members not only called on the Assembly to condemn the continued closure of the legislature but to also set up an ad hoc committee to look at the report of the dissolved House Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs over the alleged financial misconduct.

    The members also called on the House to summon the chairman to tell them why he had refused to adhere to the directives of the governor and the House.

    “That the Benue State House of Assembly immediately move in and take over the Otukpo legislative council and allow the councillors conduct their regular sessions under the watchful and protective eyes of the House of Assembly,” the petition read.

    But, Ogiri said the reason for suspending legislative business was for the renovation of the dilapidated legislative chamber.

    “Also, the council hall that the legislators have been using as a temporary chamber is being occupied by the Idoma Area Traditional Council and Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for the selection of the vacant stools in Idoma land,” the chairman said.

    Ogiri  was earlier recommended for six-month suspension by the Assembly for alleged misconduct but the suspension was reduced to one month by the governor Hyacinth Alia.

    He had hardly spent a week of the suspension when the new speaker of the House, Alfred Emberger, lifted his suspension and that of two others.

    Ogiri, who said he only resumed office on Monday, added that the impeachment of Anya and the House majority leader was done without his knowledge.

    He also said he never ignored the directive of the deputy governor to maintain the status quo, saying the directive was given before he assumed office.

  • Benue Assembly suspends ex-Speaker for alleged plot to remove governor

    Benue Assembly suspends ex-Speaker for alleged plot to remove governor

    • Lawmakers screen, confirm seven commissioner-nominees

    The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended its immediate past Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh, who resigned on Sunday

    Dajoh was suspended for three months, following a motion moved by Emmanuel Shimawua (APC/Kyan) during plenary yesterday in Makurdi

    Shimawua stated that Dajoh should be suspended for attempting to impeach Governor Hyacinth Alia.

    The lawmaker said the former Speaker’s actions were condemnable and urged his colleagues to also condemn the act.

    He added that if the former Speaker’s impeachment move had not been foiled, it could have thrown the state into confusion.

    Shimawua recalled that on August 21, Dajoh called fellow lawmakers to a meeting in his house and planned to use the attendance at the meeting to impeach the governor.

    READ ALSO: FULL STEPS: How to be a LAGRIDE driver, earn N250,000, above

    The lawmaker moved the motion that the former Speaker be suspended from legislative duty for six months.

    The motion was seconded by Abu Umoru (PDP/Apa), who said Dajoh’s actions deserved suspension.

    Ruling on the motion, Speaker Alfred Berger described Dajoh’s actions as condemnable and below the legislative standard.

    The Speaker ruled that he should be suspended for three months against the six months recommended in the motion.

    Also, the Benue State House of Assembly yesterday screened seven more commissioner-nominees for the state.

    The screening took place during the plenary in Makurdi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the nominees are: Tiza Imojime, Aondowase Kunde, Ameh Odoh, Kwaghgba Amande, Joseph Jir, Dr. Yangien Ornguga, and James Dwem.

    NAN recalls that Ornguga and Dwem were screened last week but were not confirmed.

    Ruling, Speaker Berger put a question to his colleagues on whether the nominees should be confirmed or not, but they unanimously agreed that all of them should be confirmed.  

  • JUST IN: Benue Assembly suspends ex-speaker Dajoh

    JUST IN: Benue Assembly suspends ex-speaker Dajoh

    The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended former Speaker Hon. Aondona Dajoh during its plenary session.

    Read Also: Benue Assembly screens, confirms seven more commissioner nominees

    The lawmakers also confirmed Associate Professor Ornguga and other nominees forwarded by the state governor for various appointments.

    In a separate development, the Assembly lifted the suspension previously imposed on the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and several other officials.

  • Benue Assembly screens, confirms seven more commissioner nominees

    Benue Assembly screens, confirms seven more commissioner nominees

    The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday screened seven more commissioner nominees for the state.

    The screening took place during plenary in Makurdi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the nominees were Mr Tiza Imojime, Mr Aondowase Kunde,
    Mr Ameh Odoh, Mr Kwaghgba Amande, Joseph Jir, Dr Yangien Ornguga and James Dwem.

    Read Also: Alia congratulates Emberga on election as Benue Assembly speaker

    NAN recalled that Ornguga and Dwem were screened on Wednesday but were not confirmed.

    Ruling, the Speaker, Mr Alfred Berger, put a question to his colleagues as to whether they should be confirmed or not, but they unanimously agreed that all of them should be confirmed. (NAN)

  • Benue Assembly suspends three members over alleged plot to impeach speaker

    Benue Assembly suspends three members over alleged plot to impeach speaker

    The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended three of its members, including Hon. Berger Alfred, over an alleged plot to impeach the Speaker.

    The decision was taken during plenary at the Assembly Complex in Makurdi, following deliberations on what was described as “gross misconduct and acts capable of destabilising the House.”

    The suspended lawmakers were accused of conspiring to remove the Speaker through an impeachment move deemed unlawful and against the standing rules of the Assembly.

    Presiding over the sitting, the Speaker warned that the Assembly would not tolerate actions aimed at undermining its stability, stressing that discipline must be upheld to protect the integrity of the legislature.

    Read Also: CVR: INEC conduct road show to sensitise Nigerians, says over 500,000 register online in five days

    Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia has said he has no hands in the alleged attempt to impeach the Speaker.

    Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Sir Kula Tersoo, on Friday, Governor Alia stated that his name has been unnecessarily dragged into the matter .

    Kula in a statement stated: “The attention of Government House, Makurdi has been drawn to speculations bothering on alleged attempts to impeach the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh.

    It is therefore pertinent to state as follows: “The Governor, Hyacinth Alia, is not aware of, and has no involvement whatsoever in any purported attempt to remove the Speaker or in any activities currently taking place in the Benue State House of Assembly.

  • JUST IN: Benue Assembly suspends deputy chief whip, three other lawmakers

    JUST IN: Benue Assembly suspends deputy chief whip, three other lawmakers

    The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended its Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Alfred Berger, along with three other lawmakers, for allegedly attempting to cause disorder within the chamber.

    The suspended members include Hon. Shimawua Emmanuel (Vandeikya 2 Constituency), Hon. Cyril Ikong (Oju 2 Constituency), and Hon. Abu Umoru (Apa Constituency).

    Berger, who also chairs the House Committee on Information, and the others will serve a three-month suspension.

    According to a statement by the media adviser to the speaker, Terver Mzamber, the decision followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, titled “Motion to Suspend Hon. Alfred Aondoaver Emberga and three others from legislative duties for attempting to cause chaos in the House.”

    Tiseer explained that the lawmakers were accused of mobilising members to impeach the Speaker just three days after the Assembly passed a vote of confidence in its leadership and the state governor.

    Other members, including Hon. Elias Audu (Gwer East Constituency) and Majority Chief Whip, Hon. Peter Bendigo Ipusu (Katsina-Ala West Constituency), condemned the actions and supported the suspension.

    The speaker of the House upheld the motion, handing down three-month suspensions to the affected lawmakers.

    During the sitting, the Assembly also screened and confirmed four out of nine commissioner nominees.

    Those confirmed were Dr. Ortese Yanmar, Dr. Fredrick Ikyaan, Orpin Manasseh Alumo, and Michael Oglegbe.

  • Benue Assembly advances anti-quackery bill

    Benue Assembly advances anti-quackery bill

    A bill proposing the establishment of an agency to combat quackery in the health sector in Benue State has passed its second reading at the State House of Assembly.

    The debate was led by Mr Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) during Thursday’s plenary session in Makurdi.

    Akya confined his comments to the overall merits and principles of the bill, adhering to parliamentary procedure.

    He explained that the bill aimed to create a dedicated agency to eradicate quackery in healthcare, addressing the urgent need to curb the growing menace of unqualified individuals posing as health professionals.

    “These individuals endanger lives and undermine the integrity and effectiveness of the healthcare system,” Akya said.

    He emphasised that reliance on temporary task forces to address the problem had proven inadequate, reactive, and unsustainable.

    “There is an urgent need for a dedicated, autonomous, and permanent agency empowered by law to combat quackery comprehensively and consistently.”

    Akya highlighted the prevalence of fake doctors, unlicensed pharmacists, substandard clinics, and herbal practitioners operating outside professional ethics and regulatory standards in Benue State. “These quacks are untrained individuals posing as health professionals, providing services that put the public at serious risk through wrong diagnoses and treatments,” he stated.

    He further explained that quacks exploited the ignorance and poverty of rural communities, undermining trust in qualified medical practitioners.

    Read Also: Benue Assembly seeks suspension of SUBEB chairman over alleged misconduct

    The lawmaker criticised current approaches relying on occasional task forces as insufficient, noting that such groups were often ad hoc, poorly funded, politically influenced, and lack enforcement powers.

    He said the proposed agency would have the authority to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals and entities offering healthcare services without proper qualifications or licenses.

    He added it would also collaborate with professional bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and the Pharmaceutical Council.

    The motion was seconded by Mr Simon Gabo (APC/Mata), who acknowledged the bill’s importance but stressed it should serve as a wake-up call for those responsible for tackling quackery.

    Mr Abu Edoh (APC/Agatu) also supported the bill, calling it timely and emphasising the need for public advocacy to discourage patronage of quacks.

    The Speaker, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh directed the Clerk of the House, Mr John Hwande, to read the bill for the second time.

    Following this, the bill was referred to the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services for further processing, with a report expected in the first week of September.

    (NAN) 

  • Benue Assembly seeks suspension of SUBEB chairman over alleged misconduct

    Benue Assembly seeks suspension of SUBEB chairman over alleged misconduct

    The Benue State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to suspend the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, for six months.

    The Assembly also directed the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Denen Aondoakaa, to immediately halt the release of funds to the board.

    The motion, moved by Hon. Bemdoo Ipusu, accused Dr. Adagba of refusing to appear before an ad hoc committee set up by the House to probe alleged illegal activities within SUBEB.

    Ipusu informed the House that the chairman had written a letter dismissing the legislature’s authority to investigate contracts awarded by the board, thereby obstructing its constitutional oversight functions.

    Read Also: Alia submits list of eight commissioner-nominees to Benue Assembly

    Lawmakers who contributed to the debate expressed strong disapproval of Dr. Adagba’s actions and unanimously supported her suspension, citing repeated confrontations with the House.

    It was gathered that this marks the third time the SUBEB chairman has clashed with the Benue State Assembly

  • JUST IN: Benue Assembly suspends five members

    JUST IN: Benue Assembly suspends five members

    Five members of the Benue State House of Assembly have been suspended for three sittings over allegations of tampering with the investigative report on the activities of the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Hon. Maxwell Ogiri.

    The suspended lawmakers—Hon. Shimawua Terna, Hon. Mathew Damkor, Hon. Cephas Dyako, Hon. Moses Egbodo, and Hon. Isaac Echekliye are all members of the House Standing Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs.

    The committee, led by Hon. Terna Shimawua, was earlier mandated by the House to investigate allegations of misappropriation of funds and abuse of office levelled against Hon. Ogiri.

    Read Also: Renewed herdsmen attacks: Benue Assembly urges Alia to fully enforce anti-open grazing law

    However, during the presentation of their report, the committee was found to have deviated from its actual findings.

    Dissatisfied with the report, the House constituted a five-member ad hoc committee chaired by Hon. Bemdoo Ipusu to conduct a fresh investigation and uncover the truth.

    The Assembly resolved to suspend the committee members for allegedly attempting to conceal the misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, and the controversial closure of the Otukpo Legislative Chamber—moves seen as an effort to shield the council chairman from accountability.