The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended former Majority Leader, Mr. Saater Tiseer (APC, Mbagwa), for six months, and former Minority Leader, Mr. Michael Audu (PDP, Adoka-Ugboju), for three months over alleged gross misconduct.

The decision followed a motion moved by the current Majority Leader, Mr. Thomas Dugeri (APC, Kwande West), during plenary in Makurdi. Dugeri stated that the conduct of the two former house leaders while in office had brought the Assembly into disrepute.

He explained that the report of the ad hoc committee set up by the House to investigate the activities of the former leadership found both men guilty of using their offices for personal gain. This, he said, was inconsistent with the oath of office and membership of the House, which they had sworn to uphold.

Dugeri emphasized that the Assembly had a responsibility to discipline any member found guilty of gross misconduct or dereliction of duty likely to tarnish the image of the institution.

The motion was seconded by Dr. Elias Audu (APC, Gwer East), who noted that the stability of the House was crucial to the stability of the state.

“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,” Audu said.

In his ruling, the Speaker, Mr. Alfred Emberga, stated that the suspension of the two former leaders would serve as a deterrent to others.