July 24, (THEWILL) – The Benue State House of Assembly has directed the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure the arrest and prosecution of a Gboko-based social media influencer, Basil Yina, over incitement and false allegations against members of the House.
Moving the motion, the member representing Makurdi South Constituency, Alfred Emberga, drew the attention of members to the effect that one Basil Yina, in his Facebook account, alleged that Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has donated one truck of fertilizer to each member for their constituency but they sold it.
According to Emberga, based on this information, their constituents have been calling them to know when the fertilizer will be distributed to them.
“This fake news has incited our constituents. We have lost our reputation and our lives are under threat of attacks,” he said.
He, therefore, moved a motion, calling on his colleagues to agree that the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), Benue State Command, arrest and prosecute Yina.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Peter Ipusu, representing Katsina-Ala West Constituency, who denied receipt of fertilizer from Senator Akume either for himself or for his constituents, added that Yina should appear on the floor to show proof of his post on the social media platform.
Equally, the Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, moved a motion to invite the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) to appear before the House to explain the readiness of the Commission for the proposed local government elections and was seconded by Hon. Peter Ipusu.
Other matters discussed on the floor were a Bill to Regulate Burial Rites 2024; the Benue State Power Management Agency Bill; and the Primary and Secondary Education.
The Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Dajo, who presided over the plenary, adjourned sitting to July 29, 2024, for further legislative session.
