HOW BENUE FORMER SPEAKER’S ATTEMPT TO EXPOSE 117BILLION NAIRA FRAUD BY ALIA COST HIM HIS JOB, SEE THE 42 ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE GOVERNOR
The political landscape of Benue State has been thrown into unprecedented upheaval following the resignation of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh.
According to The Informant News, sources revealed that the resignation was far from voluntary; rather, it was precipitated by intense political pressure from the office of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
The pressure arose in response to the Assembly’s investigative findings, led by Dajoh, which uncovered 42 allegations amounting to N117 billion against the Governor, ranging from financial mismanagement and gross abuse of office to unconstitutional interference in governance, security failures, and violations of the federal character principle.
The findings, as detailed in the Assembly’s report, outlined extensive irregularities in public procurement and contract management.
Among the most glaring allegations were contracts awarded without due process, some worth tens of billions of naira, including major infrastructure projects.
Notable contracts cited include the construction of high-level junction interchanges in Makurdi and Gboko, the construction and rehabilitation of multiple primary and secondary roads, and massive procurement orders for government vehicles and official paraphernalia—all allegedly executed without the mandatory approvals of the State Executive Council, proper advertising, competitive bidding, or budgetary provisions.
One of the most egregious examples involves a N73 billion contract awarded for the construction of the Mbawar Secondary School-Bako-Negher-Tyam-Naa-
The contract was reportedly signed on January 8, 2024, by Bauhaus Global Investment Nig. Ltd., without any documented due process.
As the Assembly’s report noted, “No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.”
Other contracts highlighted in the report include the construction of the Obarike Ito-Adum East-Oju Road at N19.7 billion, the installation of 448 solar street lights in Makurdi Metropolis for N307 million, and the procurement of assorted government vehicles worth over N14 billion, all awarded unilaterally by the Governor.
Even smaller-scale procurement projects, such as the production of calendars, diaries, and billboards for government publicity, were allegedly executed without legislative approval or proper advertising, demonstrating a pervasive pattern of bypassing statutory procedures.
Financial mismanagement formed another cornerstone of the Assembly’s allegations. Governor Alia was accused of freezing state government accounts and operating them at his discretion, contravening established statutory and administrative rules.
Millions of naira in statutory allocations intended for the 23 Local Government Areas were reportedly diverted for personal or private use, effectively crippling local government operations.
The Assembly stressed that these actions undermined the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of local governments, as affirmed by the Supreme Court.
The Governor’s alleged constitutional violations extend beyond financial impropriety. The Assembly claimed that he concentrated major appointments in his native Vandeikya Local Government Area, flouting the federal character principle stipulated in Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
Several bureaus and parastatals were reportedly unilaterally created, with loyalists appointed as heads, undermining the performance of constitutionally empowered commissioners. The report highlighted that these actions have caused significant inefficiencies and widespread public dissatisfaction.
Public safety and security failures were also prominent in the Assembly’s findings.
In 2024, Governor Alia signed an Executive Order banning public gatherings, wakes, ceremonies, and religious events, which were allegedly enforced by armed thugs in his presence. Furthermore, widespread attacks across 17 local government areas resulted in the creation of 20 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, two of which are designated as mega camps, reflecting a failure to protect the populace.
In addition, the report documented alarming interference in the judiciary.
In March 2025, Governor Alia allegedly deployed government thugs, known locally as the “NO ALIA NO BENUE” group, to block access to the High Court of Justice at Old G.R.A Makurdi.
Judicial officers, including the Chief Judge, were reportedly prevented from entering the court premises, with stones and debris thrown to intimidate staff.
The Assembly concluded that this act directly violated the principle of separation of powers, threatening the independence of the judiciary.
As the report stated, “That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia…willfully and unlawfully interfered with the performance of constitutional duties of the judiciary in Benue State…”
The Assembly also accused the Governor of refusing to sign the 2025 Appropriation Law, carrying out state expenditures without legislative assent, even after receiving warnings from the House of Assembly regarding the dangerous constitutional implications of such actions.
Faced with the looming threat of impeachment stemming from these findings, Governor Alia reportedly moved decisively to secure the resignation of Speaker Dajoh.
According to The Informant News report, sources indicated that N2 billion was deployed to influence the succession process, ensuring the emergence of Alfred Emberga, the representative of Makurdi-North State Constituency, as the new Speaker.
This maneuver effectively removed a key obstacle to the Governor’s continued authority while simultaneously sending a signal of political dominance.
In total, the Assembly’s investigation revealed 42 allegations against Governor Alia, covering gross abuse of office, financial impropriety, interference with the judiciary, unconstitutional creation of offices, nepotism, and failures in public safety and governance.
Sahara Reporters
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