Benue Assembly Exposes Corruption Under Alia’s Government (See Document)
In a startling revelation, the Benue State House of Assembly has unearthed extensive corruption within the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, casting serious doubts over the integrity of his government. The findings, which emerged from a comprehensive investigation by a specially constituted Ad Hoc Committee, point to significant financial mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds within key government bodies.
The investigation, led by Majority Leader Hon. Saater Tisser, specifically focused on the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The committee was formed in July 2024 following alarming reports from whistleblowers and watchdog organizations that indicated rampant embezzlement of state funds under Alia’s watch.
The Ad Hoc Committee’s report detailed shocking financial discrepancies, revealing that billions of naira had been siphoned by Alia’s appointees. The committee found that the SUBEB, under the leadership of Grace Adagba, received over N12.4 billion from local governments for primary school teachers’ salaries between December 2023 and June 2024. However, the committee has demanded an account for a staggering N2.07 billion that remains unaccounted for.
Additionally, the report highlighted that the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had received approximately N66.8 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) from September 2023 to May 2024. Alarmingly, officials from local government councils were allegedly coerced into signing blank documents, enabling the Bureau to withdraw significant sums from local government accounts.
The report also uncovered a systematic scheme involving local government councils, where Security Secretaries were directed to return N9 million from their monthly security votes, leading to a total diversion of N1.78 billion over nine months.
In light of these findings, the Benue State Assembly has issued a summons to both the Chairman of SUBEB and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Local Government Affairs, demanding a full account of the missing funds and a report on the refunds within a month. This demand underscores the Assembly’s commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.
Governor Alia’s administration has faced previous allegations of corruption, including a report from last year accusing him of misappropriating approximately N66 billion in just seven months. Notably, concerns surrounding the mismanagement of local government funds had previously led civil rights activists, including the Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an investigation into the alleged withdrawal of over N20 billion from local government accounts.
The latest developments have intensified calls for the EFCC and other anti-corruption bodies to take immediate action. Observers warn that without swift intervention, the ongoing mismanagement could leave both the state and local governments financially crippled.
Dennis Agema, President of the Network for Transparent Governance (NTG), expressed grave concern over the implications of these findings for governance in Benue State. “This latest report vindicates the whistleblowers and raises serious questions about the integrity of the Alia administration. We urge the EFCC to act decisively to prevent further financial decay in the state,” Agema stated.
As the investigation unfolds, the people of Benue State are left grappling with the implications of these revelations, hoping for accountability and a restoration of integrity in their governance. The future of the Alia administration hangs in the balance as scrutiny intensifies and calls for justice grow louder.
