FIC Report (Benue State) – The Benue State House of Assembly has constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee, chaired by Hon. Bemdoo Ipusu, to embark on a comprehensive statewide contract verification exercise. This was disclosed by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh, during plenary on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025, at the Assembly Complex in Makurdi.
In a decisive move, the Assembly directed the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Michael Ogleba, to suspend all payments to contractors handling projects in the state pending the conclusion of the verification exercise.
The committee’s mandate includes verifying whether due process was followed in awarding the contracts, determining if they were advertised, evaluating contractor capacity, design analysis, duration of execution, and contract sums.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Alfred Emberga Berger, member representing Makurdi North State Constituency, who raised concerns over irregularities and the slow pace of project execution across the state. He warned that continued silence by the House could fuel public suspicion and cast the present administration in a negative light.
The ad hoc committee has been given one month to complete its assignment and report back to the House.
Meanwhile, the House has summoned the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Michael Ogleba; the Head of Service, Mr. Agbogbo Ode; and the Special Adviser on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to appear before it on Tuesday, 29th July 2025.
The Finance Commissioner is expected to present the state’s total wage bill, including salaries, allowances, and other personnel costs. The Head of Service is to provide a detailed breakdown of staff strength across ministries, departments, and agencies currently on the state payroll.
In another development during plenary, the House suspended the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board, Mr. Michael Uper, for six months over alleged diversion and misappropriation of state revenue.
The House ordered an investigation into the Secretary’s activities during the suspension period. Should he be found guilty, he will be required to refund the misappropriated funds to the state’s consolidated revenue account and may face dismissal.
The House also condemned the brutal killing of Mr. Ternenge Iorkyaa Ikpanor and other Mbaduku indigenes in the ongoing crisis between Mbaduku and Obudu. It called on Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to urgently liaise with his Cross River State counterpart to bring an end to the conflict.
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Centre
Federal Information Center, Makurd
