The Chairman and the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in Benue State have been suspended for three months by the state government.
The Chairman, Abubakar Adamu and the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ahmadu Alhassan, were ordered suspended from office with effect from Monday, September 21 while an acting chairman and acting executive secretary were named by the government.
Their suspension followed petitions received by the government alleging misuse of the allocation of Hajj slots and mismanagement of funds.
One of the petitions against the Executive Secretary also alleged irregularities in the distribution of government palliatives.
If found true, the allegations would amount to serious misconduct, contrary to the spirit of public service, accountability, transparency and probity.
“To ensure continuity in the running of the Board, the Executive Council approved the appointment of Ahmed Tijani Adamu as Acting Chairman and Mr. Adamu Salihu Babi as Acting Executive Secretary.
“The suspended officials have been directed to hand over all properties of the office in their custody to the respective acting officers with immediate effect,” the government said in a statement on Monday, September 21.
