Benue State House of Assembly has summoned Ati Terkula, owner and publisher of atiterkula., over a publication on his site ( https://atiterkula./2015/09/13/okpokwu-local-government-crisis-the-untold-story  ) that revealed alleged corruption involving the Assembly Deputy Speaker, Hon James Okefe and an aide to state Governor, Samuel Ortom.

The publication which broke on the Benue blogosphere alleged that Hon Okefe and the Special Adviser to Governor Ortom On Ethics and Value Re-orientation were conniving to demand for a share of the allocation to Okpokwu Local Government from the Chairman, Barr Chris Idu.

The blogger was therefore summoned to appear before the House next week Tuesday 22nd September 2015 along side the Local Government Chairman in question “to throw more light on the allegations” which the house already adjudged to have emanated from the Chairman.

Following the development, several people have reacted with many questioning why the Assembly have excluded the Deputy Speaker in its investigation.

David Tyona said ” these Assembly members are jokers. They invited a blogger to do what? They want to cover the tracts of the Deputy Speaker abi?

Terver Uza said “Like seriously? No more laws or policies to pass and implement? They seem to be pushing their luck too far. I see some schooling next week.”

Linus Ojechema said “Yet he (Hon. Okefe) wants to be a judge in his own cause? The charges levied are weighty. Ordinary they should go to the an executive investigation committee of the state government and not to his colleagues in the House of Assembly. It is beyond calling the Chairman to the State House of Assembly so that he could use that cover to achieve his aim. It is for the people of Benue to judge.”

It remains to be seen how this unfolds as recent events have shown dictatorial tendencies for the Assembly to shield themselves from negative media attention. Recall that just a few months ago, Channels Television’s correspondent, Pius Angbo was reportedly ordered out from the Benue State Assembly chamber by the Speaker, Hon Terkimbi Ikyange.

According to channels, the ban order was not unconnected to an earlier report showing a free for all fight the Benue lawmakers resorted to during a plenary over the House leadership.

Even after apologising to the national TV giant, question marks remain over their ability to tolerate media reports that are not palatable to their political course as shown in this latest incident.


http://benue.com.ng/benue-assembly-summons-blogger-over-revealing-publication/

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