The Benue State Executive Council has suspended the Chairman and Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for three months over allegations of misuse of Hajj slots and mismanagement of funds….
The Benue State Executive Council has suspended the Chairman and Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for three months over allegations of misuse of Hajj slots and mismanagement of funds.
The affected officials are the Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu, and the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ahmadu Alhassan.
The state government announced the decision in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev.
According to the statement, the suspensions took effect on Monday, September 21, 2026, following petitions received against the two officials.
The petitions allege misuse of the allocation of Hajj slots and financial mismanagement. The petition against the Executive Secretary also alleges irregularities in the distribution of government palliatives.
The government said the allegations, if established, would amount to serious misconduct and breach of the principles of public service, accountability, transparency and probity.
It stressed that the suspensions were to allow for a thorough investigation and prevent possible interference with the facts of the case.
“The suspensions do not amount to a finding of guilt against either official,” the statement said.
To ensure uninterrupted operations, the Executive Council approved the appointment of Hon. Ahmed Tijani Adamu as Acting Chairman and Adamu Salihu Babi as Acting Executive Secretary.
The suspended officials have been directed to immediately hand over all government properties in their custody to their respective acting replacements.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, particularly funds and arrangements relating to intending Muslim pilgrims from Benue.
