The Benue State House of Assembly has further extended the suspension of its former speaker, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange and six other members till the end of the 8th Assembly.
The House took the decision on Monday during plenary saying that the suspended members were yet to repent of their gross transgression against the House as an institution.
Speaker of the house, Hon. Titus Ubah, made the pronouncement after the motion of notice regarding the seven suspended members was presented and adopted by the house.
The seven members were suspended following the crisis which rocked the House late 2018 during which police and other security agencies sealed the assembly for months.
Moving the motion for the extension of the suspension of the seven members, the Majority Leader, Benue state House of Assembly, Mr. Avine Agbum noted that the members after being suspended for gross violation of some standing rules of the House have not shown any sign of repentance.
Agbum added that the standing rules of the House must be respected at all times quoting section 101 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which empowers the state Assembly to regulate its procedure.
The Member representing Agatu state constituency and the Deputy Majority leader of the House, Sule Audu seconding the motion for the extension of the suspension of the members said the decision was in a right direction.
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Addressing newsmen on the development, the member representing Ukum State Constituency, Mr. Paul Biam said members were not under any external influence.
He said they were only working to keep the integrity of the House and to set a good precedent for incoming legislators to emulate.
Mr. Biam stated further explained that the extension of their suspension was due to the fact that the action of the members was disrespectful to the House of Assembly.
According to him, inviting uniformed men to abuse the House when they were first suspended last year was completely unlawful.
He however noted that if those suspended appeared before the committee set up to look into the matter and were not found wanting, they may be called back before the end of the 8th Assembly.
The members on suspension are the member representing Obi state constituency Mr. Nick Eworo, the member representing Okpokwu state constituency Mr. James Okefe, the member representing Ugboju/Adoka constituency Mr. Adam Okloho.
Others are member representing Gboko West state constituency, Mr. Terhemba Chabo, former NUJ chairman, Benue state council and member representing Tarka state constituency, Mr. Bem Ngutyo and the member representing Makurdi South, Mr. Benjamin Adanyi.
