The Benue State House of Assembly has commenced a comprehensive verification of contracts awarded by the state government.
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Terver Zamber, confirmed in a statement that a seven-member ad hoc committee, chaired by Hon. Bemdoo Ipusu, has been constituted to carry out the exercise. The committee’s mandate covers a review of contract advertisements, adherence to due process, contractor capacity, design analysis and contract sums.
In line with the probe, the Assembly has instructed the Commissioner for Finance, Michael Ogleba, to halt all payments to contractors until the verification is concluded.
The resolution was passed during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, following a motion of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Alfred Emberga Berger, representing Makurdi North Constituency.
Berger expressed concern that irregularities and delays in project delivery were fuelling speculation that could damage the credibility of the current administration.
The ad hoc committee has been given one month to complete its assignment and present its findings.
The Assembly has also summoned Commissioner Ogleba and Head of Service Agbogbo Ode to appear before lawmakers on Tuesday, 29 July 2025. Ogleba is expected to provide a full account of the state’s wage bill, including salaries, allowances and other personnel costs. Ode is to submit a breakdown of staff currently on the state payroll by ministries, departments and agencies.
During the same session, lawmakers suspended Mr. Michael Uper, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board, for six months over allegations of diverting state revenue.
The Assembly ordered an investigation into the claims and directed Uper to refund any misappropriated funds to the state’s consolidated revenue account. His removal will follow if the allegations are substantiated.
The House also condemned the killings of Mr. Ternenge Iorkyaa Ikpanor and other Mbaduku indigenes in clashes with Obudu communities. It called on Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to engage his Cross River counterpart to bring an end to the violence.
In addition, the Chairman of the Local Government Civil Service Commission has been summoned to appear before the House on 29 July to clarify issues surrounding irregular staff promotions within the commission.
