The Benue State Executive Council has approved the suspension of the Chairman and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for three months, with effect from Monday, September 21, 2026.
The affected officials are Alhaji Abubakar Adamu, Chairman of the Board, and Alhaji Ahmadu Alhassan, Executive Secretary of the Board.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev.
He said the suspensions followed petitions alleging the misuse of Hajj slot allocations and mismanagement of funds.
Chief Iorpev further said the petition against the Executive Secretary also alleged irregularities in the distribution of government palliatives.
According to him, “If found true, the allegations would amount to serious misconduct, contrary to the spirit of public service, accountability, transparency and probity.”
He said the suspensions were to allow for a thorough investigation and to ensure there was no interference with the facts of the matter.
“They do not amount to a finding of guilt against either official.
“To ensure continuity in the running of the Board, the Executive Council approved the appointment of Hon. Ahmed Tijani Adamu Esq. as Acting Chairman and Mr. Adamu Salihu Babi as Acting Executive Secretary,” he said.
Chief Iorpev said the suspended officials had been directed to hand over all properties of the office in their custody to the respective acting officers with immediate effect.
“The Benue State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability and the proper management of public resources, particularly those connected to the welfare of intending pilgrims from the state,” he said.