The Benue State Executive Council has approved the three-month suspension of the Chairman and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board over allegations of Hajj slot racketeering and financial mismanagement.
​The suspension, which takes effect on Monday, September 21, 2026, affects the Board Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu, and the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ahmadu Alhassan.
​The decision was finalized during the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi, presided over by the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
​The development was made public in an official press statement issued in Makurdi on Monday afternoon by the Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev.
​According to Chief Iorpev, the Council’s decision followed receipt of formal petitions alleging the unauthorized allocation and misuse of Hajj slots, as well as the diversion and mismanagement of board funds.
Additional petitions against the Executive Secretary included allegations of irregularities in the handling and distribution of government palliatives.
​”If established, the allegations would amount to serious misconduct, contrary to the spirit of public service, accountability, transparency, and probity,” Chief Iorpev stated. “The suspensions are to allow for a thorough investigation and to ensure there is no interference with the facts of the matter. They do not amount to a finding of guilt against either official.”
​To maintain administrative continuity during the probe, the Executive Council approved the immediate appointments of Hon. Ahmed Tijani Adamu, Esq. as Acting Chairman and Mr. Adamu Salihu Babi as Acting Executive Secretary.
Both suspended officials have been directed to hand over all government property in their custody to their respective acting successors with immediate effect.
​Reaffirming the administration’s position, Chief Iorpev emphasized that Governor Alia’s government remains committed to maintaining full transparency, accountability, and the proper utilization of public resources, particularly those allocated for the welfare of intending pilgrims across the state.
