Benue Assembly Crisis: 13 Members Suspended

Suspension of 13 Members Escalates Benue Assembly Conflict

The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended 13 members for three months following their opposition to the removal of the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese. This decision has intensified the existing crisis within the assembly.

The suspension occurred after the assembly, on Tuesday, recommended the suspension of Justice Ikpambese over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. Following this recommendation, the 13 dissenting members publicly disassociated themselves from the decision, leading to their suspension. The Speaker, Chief Hyacinth Dajoh, stated that their actions were “dishonourable” and capable of causing acrimony within the House.

The suspended members include Mr. Douglas Akya (Makurdi South), Mr. Jonathan Agbidye (Katsina-Ala East), Mrs. Beckie Orpin (Gboko East), Mr. Simon Gabo (Ushongo-Mata), Mr. Williams Ortyom (Agasha), Mr. Onah Blessed (Oju 1), Mr. Elias Audu (Gwer East), Mr. Anyor Mato (Kwande East), Mr. Manger Manger (Tarka), Mr. Solomon Gyila (Gwer West), Mr. Samuel Agada (Ogbadibo), Mr. Abraham Jabi (Buruku), and Mr. Ezra Nyiyongo (Ukum).

The Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, emphasized that the assembly had received a complaint from the Attorney-General detailing allegations against the Chief Judge. After deliberations, 23 out of 31 members voted in favor of the Chief Judge’s removal. However, the subsequent public dissent by the 13 members was viewed as a violation of the House’s standing rules, prompting their suspension.