The Benue State House of Assembly has recommended the suspension of the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri for six months over alleged embezzlement of public funds and interference in the effective legislative proceedings at the local council.

The House equally directed the immediate hand over of leadership affairs of the Local Government to the deputy chairman.

The decision followed the report presented on the floor of the House during Friday’s plenary by the Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs, chaired by member representing Kyan Constituency, Terna Shimawua who was represented by his counterpart in Konshisha, Cephas Dyako.

The House members including Chief Whip, Bemdoo Ipusu and Majority Leader Saater Tiseer, condemned the alleged corruption “as against democratic principles that called for drastic actions.”

Speaker Aondona Dajoh constituted a five-man committee chaired by member representing Katsina-Ala West, Bemdoo Ipusu, to investigate the activities of the Local Government, Security, and Chieftaincy Affairs committee, considering the discrepancies that arose during the presentation of the report and bring submissions within one week.

Speaking on the sideline of the development, member representing Makurdi North and Chairman House Committee for Information, Alfred Emberga, said it was questionable for the members of the committee to hold different views leveled against the chairman of the local government,  further investigations.