Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Benue State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate suspension of the state’s Auditor-General for Local Government, Abraham Gberidyer, following allegations of financial impropriety and fraud involving a staggering N4.6 billion. The decision, taken during Thursday’s plenary session in Makurdi, came after Governor Hyacinth Alia formally alerted lawmakers through a letter from the Head of Service, describing “serious financial misconduct” within the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Lawmakers unanimously supported the suspension to clear the way for a thorough investigation, with the House Joint Committee on Local Government and Finance tasked to probe the matter and report back for further legislative action.
The scale of the allegations is immense. Reports indicate the N4.6 billion was part of funds meant for auditing local government staff, pensioners, primary healthcare workers, and personnel of Local Government Education Authorities across the state’s 23 councils. However, investigators suspect the money was siphoned under the guise of consultancy fees, funneled to private consultants without the required due diligence or oversight. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been interrogating senior officials of the Bureau, including the Permanent Secretary, Ayu Terna, and the Director of Finance and Administration, Bishop Dzungwe, alongside two consultants, Abba Adaudu and Nongomi Ter Joshua. The anti-graft agency is also probing the Chairman of the Benue State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Vitalis Neji, and has invited all 23 local government chairmen to explain their roles in the scandal. The EFCC’s investigation has revealed that the funds were paid out as consultancy fees for an audit that may not have been properly executed, and that the payments varied widely, raising red flags about possible collusion and kickbacks.
The suspension of the Auditor-General, the very official responsible for ensuring financial accountability in local governments, adds a layer of irony to the scandal. Gberidyer’s office is constitutionally mandated to audit the accounts of all local government councils and ensure compliance with financial regulations. Yet, he now stands accused of being complicit in the very kind of malfeasance he was meant to detect and prevent. Governor Alia, in his letter to the House, cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to argue that Gberidyer “cannot continue to hold his office” while under investigation for corruption, underscoring the government’s commitment to zero tolerance for financial misconduct.
During the plenary, lawmakers expressed outrage and demanded decisive action. Peter Ipusu (APC, Katsina-Ala) called for the outright dismissal of the Auditor-General and insisted that any misappropriated funds be recovered and returned to government coffers. Terna Shimawua (APC, Kyado) advocated for a thorough investigation, stressing the importance of ensuring a fair hearing for all parties involved. Douglas Akya (APC, Makurdi South) recommended that Gberidyer step aside to allow for an unhindered probe. Speaker Alfred Emberga put the matter to a voice vote, and the lawmakers unanimously supported the suspension. Emberga subsequently directed the House Joint Committee on Local Government and Finance to conduct a detailed investigation and report back to the Assembly for further legislative action.
The EFCC’s involvement has been critical in gathering evidence and questioning key players. A source within the commission told PREMIUM TIMES that the officials were picked up about a week ago and are being held at the EFCC’s Makurdi zonal office. The anti-graft agency is probing claims that the funds were paid out as consultancy fees for an audit of local government staff, pensioners, Primary Healthcare workers and personnel of Local Government Education Authorities across the state, but were allegedly siphoned in the process. One of the consultants is reportedly at large, while some of the government officials have promised to make restitution and return the funds they allegedly embezzled. The commission has also traced several calls to the fleeing consultant, who has promised to appear voluntarily, though his whereabouts remain unknown.
The Benue State Government has pledged full cooperation with the EFCC and the Assembly’s investigation. The Commissioner for Finance, Michael Oglegba, confirmed that the government is aware of the EFCC action and will not interfere. “We have zero tolerance for anything that is not straightforward,” Mr Oglegba said. “The EFCC is carrying out its investigation, and when it is concluded, the findings will be made public.” He acknowledged that funds had been paid for the audit but said the investigation would determine whether due process was followed. Mr Oglegba warned public officials to adhere strictly to due process, noting that Governor Alia has made it clear that his administration will not shield anyone found culpable. The Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Yangien Ornguga, was said to have been instructed to secure the release of the detained officials, but all his efforts proved abortive as the commission insisted they must answer questions for their acts. However, an inside source said their bail was being processed, even as they may face prosecution.
The suspension of the Auditor-General and the ongoing EFCC probe have sent shockwaves through Benue State, where trust in public institutions has been severely eroded by years of alleged financial mismanagement. Civil society groups have welcomed the move, calling for a swift and transparent investigation and urging the government to ensure that anyone found guilty is prosecuted without delay. The Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has also expressed support for the probe, stressing that the rule of law must prevail and that no one, regardless of their position, should be above the law.
As the investigation unfolds, the people of Benue State are left wondering how a senior official tasked with safeguarding public funds could be implicated in such a massive scam. The Auditor-General remains suspended, and the EFCC continues its interrogation of key officials. The House Joint Committee is expected to submit its report within weeks, and depending on the findings, further legal and disciplinary actions could follow. For now, one thing is clear: the man who was supposed to be watching the books has himself been caught with his hands in the till.
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