Benue Assembly suspends former House leaders for gross misconduct

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended its former majority leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, and former minority leader, Rt. Hon. Michael Audu, from legislative duties for gross misconduct capable of destroying the unity and integrity of the House.

The decision was reached during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga.

The two former principal officers of the House were accused of gross misconduct and misusing their offices for personal gains contrary to the Standing Order of the House.

The Majority Leader of the House and Mover of the motion, Pharm. Thomas Dugeri, informed the House that the behaviour of the two former House leaders while in office portrayed the House in bad light.

He said the report of the ad hoc committee set up by the House to investigate the activities of the former leadership indicted the duo as they were found guilty of misusing their offices for personal gains, which is incompatible with the oath of office and oath of membership of the House, which they swore.

The House therefore suspended Hon. Saater Tiseer for six months and Rt. Hon. Michael Audu for three months from legislative duties to serve as a deterrent to others.

Also during plenary, the House removed Miss Dorcas Faeren Mbatiav as a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission for gross misconduct and misuse of her office.

The House said their decision followed a discovery that Miss Dorcas Faeren Mbatiav has been leaking official and confidential information of the commission, which constitutes gross misconduct.

Moving the motion to that effect, the member representing Kyan State Constituency, Hon. Shimawua Terna, stated that Section 6(2) of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2018, empowers the House to remove a member of the Commission for gross misconduct.

He further explained that Miss Dorcas Faeren Mbatiav was not qualified for her current position as she has no public service background as required in Section 5(2)(c) of the Benue State House of Assembly [Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2018].

Members who contributed said her continued stay at the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission portends danger to the credibility of the Commission and will set a bad precedent for the future.

A statement made available to newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Michael Upaa, said the House unanimously relieved her of the appointment to save the image of the commission.