The Benue Assembly on Tuesday suspended former majority leader Saater Tiseer (APC/Mbagwa) for six months and the former minority leader, Michael Audu (PDP/Adoka-Ugboju), for three months for gross misconduct.

The decision followed a motion moved by the majority leader, Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), during plenary in Makurdi.
Mr Dugeri pointed out that the behaviour of the two former House leaders while in office portrayed the House in a 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 gain.
This, he noted, was incompatible with the oath of office and oath of membership of the House, which they swore.

Mr Dugeri said the House had a duty to discipline any erring member for gross misconduct and dereliction of duty capable of tarnishing the image of the House.

The motion was seconded by Elias Audu (APC/Gwer East), who said, “When the House is not stable, the state will be unstable.”
“I urge the House to constitute a special committee to work with the Ethics Committee to dig deep into the matter and unravel more issues about the former House leaders,” Mr Audu added.

In his ruling, the speaker, Alfred Emberga, said the suspension of the two former leaders would serve as a deterrent to others.
(NAN)