Five Honourable Members of the Benue State House of Assembly who were suspended for misconduct during plenary on Tuesday have been recalled. The House, during its Thursday plenary held at the assembly complex in Makurdi, recalled the five suspended members. These members, who are part of the House Standing Committee on Local Government, Security, and Chieftaincy Affairs, were suspended for tampering with the report on the activities of the Otukpo Local Government Area.
The members whose suspensions were lifted and were recalled to the House are: the member representing Kyan State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Shimawua; the member representing Tiev State Constituency, Hon. Mathew Damkor; the member representing Konshisha State Constituency, Hon. Cephas Dyako; the Member representing Obi State Constituency, Hon. Moses Egbodo and the Member representing Ohimini State Constituency, Hon. Isaac Ochekliye.
Earlier, Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Cyril Ikong read a letter signed by the five suspended members, who apologized and showed remorse over their misconduct. They pleaded with the House to forgive their shortcomings and recall them, promising to exhibit good behavior at all times.
Contributing, Minority Leader, Hon. Michael Audu said that as long as the suspended members had seen their faults, apologized, and shown remorse over their misconduct, they should be recalled to the House to continue representing their constituencies and the state in general.
On his part, the member representing Gwer State Constituency, Hon. Elias Audu, stated that he saw and spoke with some of the suspended members, who showed remorse and regretted their misconduct, and appealed to the House to lift their suspension and recall them.
Ruling on the matter, Speaker Hon. Hyacinth Dejoh said that since the members had shown remorse and apologized for their shortcomings and misconduct, they should return to the House to continue with their legislative activities.
It will be recalled that the five members were suspended for three legislative sessions.
