Benue Thieves: Governor Alia’s Administration Rocked by N20bn Contract Fraud Allegations as EFCC Probes N4.6bn Diversion

Secrets Reporters

SecretsReporters has exclusively obtained an explosive petition accusing officials in Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s administration of orchestrating over N20 billion in contract fraud through rigged awards, back-dated approvals, and misappropriation of public funds, in flagrant breach of state and federal procurement laws.

The document, submitted by concerned citizen Dzahemen Jerry Asom to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, demands a full probe into three major infrastructure contracts that bypassed mandatory processes and may have funneled taxpayer money into private pockets without execution.

The petition details how the contracts, awarded between September and November 2023, violated key provisions of the Benue State Public Procurement Law 2020, which mandates open competitive bidding, advertisement of tenders, and approval by the State Executive Council and House of Assembly for all public procurements exceeding certain thresholds. Under Section 24(1) of the federal Public Procurement Act 2007—whose principles guide state laws—procurements must follow transparent bidding to ensure value for money and prevent favoritism.

Violations here include no EXCO conclusions, absence of advertisements, lack of competitive processes, and back-dated Certificates of No Objection, all of which constitute offenses under Section 60(3) of the Benue law, punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years, fines equivalent to the contract value, and disqualification from public office per the Code of Conduct Bureau’s 5th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution.

First, BSPPC-47/2023 dated September 28, 2023, awarded N9.2 billion to Traicta Nigeria Ltd for rehabilitating 16 roads (15.39km) in Makurdi Metropolis under the Ministry of Works and Housing. SecretsReporters’ findings reveal Traicta Nigeria Ltd (likely a variant of Triacta Nigeria Limited, RC-108553, incorporated in 1988) lacks clear compliance with pre-qualification requirements, with no evidence of competitive bidding or EXCO approval.

Similarly, BSPPC-48/2023 dated November 1, 2023, handed N6.5 billion to Sunlik Company Ltd (possibly Sunlink Construction Company Limited, RC-1275547, registered in 2015) for road construction/rehabilitation, again without bidding or approvals. The third, BSPPC-56/2023 dated November 27, 2023, allocated N5.2 billion to Rumzy Nig Ltd (RC-1026805, incorporated in 2012) for solar streetlights with CCTV in Makurdi, but handled through the wrong ministry (Works and Housing instead of Science and Technology), influenced by Mr. Moses Ternenge as the alleged beneficiary, and reportedly unexecuted despite full payment.

These actions also infringe the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, which requires transparent budgeting and expenditure to prevent misappropriation, with consequences including recovery of funds and sanctions under the EFCC Act 2004 for economic crimes. If proven, offenders could face up to 10 years imprisonment under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 for concealing illicit proceeds, plus asset forfeiture.

The petition connects these irregularities to broader graft, noting an invitation to Directors-General of Services and Administration and Treasurers from Benue’s 23 Local Government Councils that preceded EFCC arrests of three Bureau for Local Government officials—Ayu Terna (Permanent Secretary), Bishop Dzungwe (Director of Finance), and Abraham Gberindyer (Auditor)—alongside consultants Abba Adaudu and Nongomi Ter Joshua.

Detained by the Makurdi Zonal Directorate over N4.6 billion diversion disguised as auditing consultancy fees, the case underscores systemic abuse, with beneficial owners of the involved companies warranting scrutiny for compliance with Corporate Affairs Commission regulations under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020.

Asom’s submission, copied to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Nigeria Police Force, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calls for roles of Governor Alia, commissioners, and contractors to be examined, with fund recovery and prosecutions. SecretsReporters’ verification confirms the companies’ registrations but highlights procedural lapses suggesting conspiracy. Governor Alia’s office did not respond to requests for comment by press time.

If unchecked, such violations erode public trust and divert resources meant for Benue’s infrastructure, potentially leading to constitutional impeachment under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution for gross misconduct.