The Benue State Executive Council has approved the suspension of the Chairman and Executive Secretary of the Benue State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

The Executive Council also approved the appointment of Ahmed Adamu as acting Chairman and Mr Adamu Salihu Babi as acting Executive Secretary to run the board.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev.

The officials were suspended for three months, with effect from Monday, September 21, 2026.

The affected officials are Alhaji Abubakar Adamu and Alhaji Ahmadu Alhassan, Chairman and Executive Secretary of the board, respectively.

“The suspensions follow received petitions alleging misuse of the allocation of Hajj slots and mismanagement of funds.

“The petition against the Executive Secretary also alleges irregularities in the distribution of government palliatives.

“If found true, the allegations would amount to serious misconduct, contrary to the spirit of public service, accountability, transparency and probity,” the statement read in part.

The commissioner said the suspension was to allow for a thorough investigation and ensure there was no interference with the facts of the matter.

Iorpev added that the suspension did not amount to a finding of guilt against the officials.

The suspended officials were directed to hand over all properties of the office in their custody to the respective acting officers with immediate effect.

The statement further read, “The Benue State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability and the proper management of public resources, particularly those connected to the welfare of intending pilgrims from the State.” (The PUNCH)