Benue suspends Muslim pilgrims welfare board Chair, Secretary

The Benue State Government has suspended the Chairman and the Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for three months over petitions alleging misuse of Hajj slots and mismanagement of funds.

The suspension was approved by the State Executive Council on Monday to pave the way for investigation into the allegations against the two officials.

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

State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi.

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Iorpev said the petitions against the officials alleged misuse of the allocation of Hajj slots and mismanagement of funds.

He added that the petition against the executive secretary also alleged irregularities in the distribution of government palliatives.

He said the allegations, if established, would amount to serious misconduct contrary to the principles of public service, accountability, transparency and probity.

He added that the suspension was necessary to allow for a thorough investigation without interference with the facts of the matter.

The commissioner, however, stressed that the suspension did not amount to a finding of guilt against the affected officials.

Iorpev further disclosed that the council consequently approved the appointment of Ahmed Tijani Adamu, Esq., as Acting Chairman and Adamu Salihu Babi as Acting Executive Secretary to oversee the affairs of the board during the suspension.

Meanwhile, the suspended officials were directed to immediately hand over all government properties in their custody to the respective acting officers.

Iorpev said the state government, under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia, remained committed to transparency, accountability and proper management of public resources, particularly those relating to the welfare of intending pilgrims from the state.