Benue Assembly Erupts: Top Former Officials Booted Out In Stunning Misconduct Scandal

The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended its former Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, and former Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Michael Audu, over allegations of gross misconduct allegedly capable of threatening the unity and integrity of the legislature.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The decision was taken during Friday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Berger Alfred Emberga.

While moving the motion for their suspension, the current Majority Leader, Hon. Thomas Dugeri, stated that the actions of the former leaders had “brought the House into disrepute.”

He noted that an ad-hoc committee established to investigate their conduct found both men guilty of exploiting their positions for personal benefit, in clear violation of the House Standing Orders.

“Their actions were inconsistent with their oaths of office and with the principles of legislative responsibility,” Dugeri said.

Based on the committee’s recommendations, the House resolved to suspend Hon. Saater Tiseer for six months and Hon. Michael Audu for three months.

In a separate development, lawmakers also voted to remove Miss Dorcas Faeren Mbatiav from the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission over alleged gross misconduct and violation of public service rules.

Presenting the motion, Hon. Shimawua Terna (Kyan Constituency) disclosed that Mbatiav had been found guilty of leaking confidential Commission documents, an offence that contravenes Section 6(2) of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2018.

Legislators further noted that Mbatiav did not possess the required public service experience stipulated under Section 5(2)(c) of the law.

They argued that retaining her on the Commission would “endanger its credibility” and create a negative precedent.

The House unanimously voted to dismiss her in order to “protect the integrity and effective operation” of the Commission.