NEWS: Misconduct: Six members of Nasarawa assembly suspended

– The six members were alleged to have engaged in a free for all during proceedings on Monday

 – They were suspended indefinitely without salaries and allowances

 – An aggrieved member described the suspension as a ‘rape of democracy’


Nasarawa legislature suspends 6 members over misconduct

Six members of the Nasarawa state House of Assembly have been suspended indefinitely over alleged misconduct during proceedings on Monday, March 4.

The Vanguard reports that Godiya Akwashiki, the deputy speaker made the announcement during the House sitting on Tuesday, March 4.

 The suspended lawmakers are:  Kassim Mohammed-Kassim (APC-Akwanga South), Murtala Sodangi(APC-Nasarawa Central), Mohammed Okpoku (APC-Udege/ Loko Musa Ali(APC-Keffi East), Makpa Malla (APC-Wamba) and Abubakar Kana (APC-Kokona West).

“These lawmakers are suspended from the house indefinitely without salary and allowances over their misconduct,” the deputy speaker said.

 Tanko Tunga, the House majority leader, had moved a motion for the suspension of the six lawmakers over misconduct and corruption allegations they levelled against members of the house.

 Tunga said that the suspended lawmakers had alleged that the executive arm of government bribed some members of the house to support the appointment of sole administrators for 11 local government areas by Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

 He said: “The action of the six members had caused a confusion which resulted into chaos among members and it is in view of this that I want to move a motion for their suspension so as to serve as deterrent to other lawmakers.”

In his reaction,  Malla, who is the chairman, House committee on information, on behalf of the suspended lawmakers, described the action as “a rape of democracy” adding that they will seek redress.

 “This is ridiculous; they have no basis of doing that because it is an assault on the rule of law.

How will they suspend us because we said that the right thing must be done and the rule of law must follow in regard to the appointment of 11 sole administrators?

“We will seek redress; we are law-abiding lawmakers; we know the right thing to be done and we have already briefed our lawyers on the next line of action,” Malla said.

 The house has constituted an adhoc committee  to look into the matter.