Press Release
The Benue State Executive Council has approved the three-month suspension of the Chairman and Executive Secretary of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board over allegations of misconduct in the management of Hajj affairs and public resources.
The affected officials are the Chairman of the Board, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu, and the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ahmadu Alhassan.
Their suspension takes effect from Monday, September 21, 2026, following petitions received by the state government alleging misuse of Hajj slots and mismanagement of funds.
In a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Solomon Iorpev, the government also accused the suspended officials of irregularities in the distribution of government palliatives.
The statement said the allegations, if established, would constitute serious misconduct and run contrary to the principles of accountability, transparency and probity expected in public service.
It, however, stressed that the suspension was to facilitate a thorough investigation and prevent any possible interference with the facts of the matter, adding that it should not be construed as a finding of guilt against any of the embattled officials.
“To ensure uninterrupted operations of the Board during the period of the investigation, the Executive Council approved the appointment of Hon. Ahmed Tijani Adamu, Esq., as Acting Chairman and Mr. Adamu Salihu Babi as Acting Executive Secretary.
“The suspended officials have also been directed to hand over all government properties in their custody to the respective acting officers with immediate effect.
“The Benue State Government, under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the prudent management of public resources, particularly funds and arrangements relating to the welfare of intending pilgrims from the state”, the statement added.
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