Alleged N4.6bn Fraud: Benue Assembly Suspends Auditor-General For LGs

Benue State House of Assembly has approved the suspension of the Auditor-General for Local Government, Abraham Gberidyer, over allegations of financial misappropriation and fraud amounting to the tune of N4.6 billion.

‎The Assembly decided during the Thursday plenary presided over by the Speaker Berger Emberga.
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‎The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Michael Zape, who said Governor Hyacinth Alia had, in a letter sent to the Assembly through the Office of the Head of Service, informed the lawmakers of serious financial impropriety, levelled against the Auditor-General.
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‎According to the letter, the Auditor-General is currently under investigation on allegations of corruption and can not continue to hold his office in line with the provisions of the country’s constitution as it relates to the removal of a corrupt public officer from office.
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‎The Assembly unanimously approved the suspension of the Auditor-General from office to pave the way for a proper investigation.
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Meanwhile, a bill for a law to provide for the creation and adoption of the Benue State Symbol and Anthem and for Other Related Matters 2026 was equally passed.
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‎The bill was passed following a report of the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Culture and Tourism, William Ortyom, represented by Anyor Mato.
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‎After thorough deliberations, the bill was passed, and the Speaker directed the clerk to produce clean copies of the bill for the Governor’s assent.
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‎Also, during plenary, a Bill for a Law to Repeal the Benue State Sports Marketing and Lotteries Board Law, 2017, and Re-enact the Benue State Lotteries, Public Online Lotteries, Gaming and Sports Marketing Board Law, 2024, was read for the second time.
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‎The Speaker Berger Emberga referred it to the House Standing Committee on Youth, Sports and Creativity for further legislative scrutiny.
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‎Also, a bill for a law to provide for the retirement age and enhance remuneration of Magistrates and Legal officers enjoyed a third reading.
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‎The bill was passed following the considerations of the report of the House Standing Committee Chairman on Judiciary, Ethics and Privileges.
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‎The bill seeks the extension of the retirement age of magistrates and legal officers in the State Ministry of Justice in order to protect the State from loss of experienced manpower in the justice sector.
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‎The Benue State Pension Harmonisation Bill also passed a second reading, the bill which seeks the increments in pensions of retirees, was sponsored by Douglas Akya, representing Makurdi South State Constituency.