The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended its former Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, and former Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Michael Audu, over alleged gross misconduct deemed capable of undermining the unity and integrity of the House.

The decision was taken during plenary on Friday, presided over by Speaker Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga.

The two former principal officers were accused of abusing their positions for personal gain, in violation of the House’s Standing Orders.

Moving the motion, the current Majority Leader, Hon. Thomas Dugeri, said the conduct of the former leaders had brought the House into disrepute.

He explained that an ad-hoc committee investigating their activities found them guilty of misusing their offices in ways incompatible with their oaths of office and membership.

Following the committee’s indictment, the House suspended Hon. Saater Tiseer for six months and Hon. Michael Audu for three months to serve as a deterrent to others.

In a related development, the Assembly also removed Miss Dorcas Faeren Mbatiav as a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission for gross misconduct and misuse of office.

According to the motion moved by Hon. Shimawua Terna of Kyan Constituency, Mbatiav was found to be leaking confidential information of the Commission, an act which violates Section 6(2) of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission (Establishment) Law, 2018.

Members also noted that she lacked the required public service background stipulated in Section 5(2)© of the law.

Lawmakers argued that her continued stay on the Commission posed a threat to its credibility and set a dangerous precedent.

The House consequently voted unanimously to relieve her of the appointment to safeguard the integrity of the Commission. (The Nation)