FIC Report (Benue State) – The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, on Tuesday, 16th September, 2025, declared open the public hearing on House Bill 60: A Bill for a Law to Encourage Public Complaints, Prescribe Punishment for Corrupt Practices and Related Offences, and Establish the Benue Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission. The event was held at the Assembly Complex, Makurdi.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lami Danladi Ogenyi, the Speaker commended the cordial collaboration between the Executive and Legislature under Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia. He recalled that the presentation of the Bill on 26th February, 2025, further demonstrated their joint commitment to enacting landmark legislation for the people of Benue State.
Rt. Hon. Emberga identified corruption as a major obstacle to progress, weakening governance, fueling illegality, and fostering impunity. He affirmed that the APC-led Government in Benue State is determined to confront corruption head-on, noting that the Bill is a bold step to strengthen accountability, promote justice, and restore public confidence in governance.
According to him, the proposed Commission will provide an independent platform for citizens to report injustice and corrupt practices, ensure offenders are sanctioned, and safeguard the public from impunity. He urged stakeholders to actively contribute to the hearing, stressing that “laws are stronger when they are shaped by the people they are meant to serve.”
The Chairman of the Committee on Public Hearing, Hon. Pharm. Thomas Dugeri, stated that corruption cuts across both the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists, adding that the House will work closely with legal experts to ensure the law is watertight.
On his part, the representative of the Attorney-General of the State, Barr. Edward Iorlaha Yange, noted that successive administrations have made efforts to fight corruption, assuring that the Ministry of Justice will fine-tune the Bill for effective passage into law.
Also speaking, the Minority Leader of the 10th Assembly, Hon. Abu Umoru, expressed support for the Bill, saying it will provide Benue citizens with the right platform to channel their grievances.
Signed
Veronica Azemba
For: Head of Center, FIC Makurdi
