Zebra Reporters exposes why Benue Governor removed speaker
Yesterday, Zebra Reporters made a report revealing massive corruption under the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia in just two years which the State House of Assembly led by the ousted Speaker, Hon. Aondona Dajoh investigated and were preparing to serve an impeachment notice on the governor, a move that later cost the Speaker his seat.
We can now reliably confirm that the figure contained in our earlier report was far below the actual amount that Governor Alia has embezzled in the guise of contracts within the period under review.
The House of Assembly indeed unearthed fraud under Alia of unprecedented proportions amounting to N345,329,853,557.78 (N345.3 billion) in contract deals, and not merely N117,104,208,480.29 (N117 billion) as earlier reported.
Recall that following the subsidy removal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, allocations to states have significantly increased. Records have shown that between June 2023 and July 2025, Benue State has received over N600 billion in FAAC allocations and other interventions. Governor Alia has steadily been diverting the huge funds hiding under contract awards which he does in gross violation of the due process law and without any State Executive Council conclusion, adverts, bidding and budgetary provision, while also back-dating Certificates of No Objection.
Below are the full details of the charges the Benue Assembly raised against the governor’s wave of corruption:
BENUE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
MAKURDI
BENUE STATE
THE SPEAKER, BENUE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
BENUE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY COMPLEX
MAKURDI, BENUE STATE
NOTICE OF ALLEGATIONS OF GROSS MISCONDUCT AGAINST REV. FR. HYACINTH IORMEM ALIA
We, the undersigned Members of the Benue State House of Assembly, hereby forward to you, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Notice of Allegations against Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Governor of Benue State, which allegations amount to gross misconduct by him in the performance of the functions of his office and duties as the Governor of Benue State. The said allegations, together with their particulars, are listed hereunder.
ALLEGATION NO. 1: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-41/2023
Date of contract: 25th August, 2023
Nature/subject of contract: Procurement of official vehicles for His Excellency’s convoy, Political Appointees and Assembly Members
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: MBS Investment and Property Ltd.
Contract sum: N7,182,280,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 2: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-42/2023
Date of contract: 25th August, 2023
Nature/subject of contract: Procurement of Customized and Multi Frequent Detectors and Multi Frequent Band Jammers for the Protection of VIP Convoy.
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Lajec Engineering Services Ltd.
Contract sum: N245,160,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 3: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-43/2023
Date of contract: 12th August, 2023
Nature/subject of contract: Procurement of fairly used Hummer (2/3) Buses for Palliative Measures, fairly used Toyota Hilux (2018/2019) for Security Purpose.
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Lajec Engineering Services Ltd.
Contract sum: N4,483,250,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 4: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-47/2023
Date of contract: 28th September, 2023 Nature/subject of contract: Rehabilitation of sixteen (16) Roads within Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State (15.39km).
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Traicta Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N9,200,060,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 5: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-48/2023
Date of contract: 1st November, 2023
Nature/subject of contract: Construction/Rehabilitation of Captain Dawns Road (4.60km), NKST Anzwar Road (0.553km) Tsar Adi Road (2.63km) and Tom Ahar/Tom Atar Road (4.11km).
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Sunlik Company Ltd.
Contract sum: N6,524,806,727.51
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 6: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-56/2023
Date of contract: 27th November, 2023
Nature/subject of contract: Installation and Maintenance of Solar Street Light with CCTV Cameras within Makurdi Metropolis.
MDA/S: Science & Tech.
Contractor: Rumzy Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N5,288,986,874.25
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 7: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-62/2023
Date of contract: 5th December, 2023
Nature/subject of contract: Renovation of Governor’s Lodge and Annex, Presidential Lodge and Jonah Jang Lodge, Makurdi.
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Kitavena Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N2,719,820,620.28
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 8: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-63/2023
Date of contract: 5th December, 2023
Nature/subject of contract: Renovation and Furnishing of Benue State Secretariate, Makurdi.
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Shek-Bright Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N974,195,906.25
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 9: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-67/2023
Date of contract: 15th December, 2023
Nature/subject of contract: Supply of 4 No. Vehicles for Lobi Stars Football Club.
MDA/S: Youths & Sports
Contractor: Lajec Engineering Services Ltd.
Contract sum: N413,875,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 10: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-68/2023
Date of contract: 21st December, 2023
Nature/subject of contract: Procurement and Supply of 1 No. Toyota Land Cruiser SUV V8 2023 Model with Military Security Features.
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Lajec Engineering Services Ltd.
Contract sum: N204,250,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 11: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-01/2024
Date of contract: 8th January, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Construction of High-Level Junction Interchange in Makurdi.
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Bauhaus Global Investment Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N6,867,523,352.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 12: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-03/2024
Date of contract: 8th January, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Construction of Mbawar Secondary School-Bako-Negher-Tyam-Naa-Adikpo/Calabar Road (20.0km) with spur to Mede-Mbara-Mbaakon (14.0km).
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Bauhaus Global Investment Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N73 billion
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 13: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-02/2024
Date of contract: 8th January, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Construction of Gyado Junction Interchange in Gboko Town, Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State.
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Bauhaus Global Investment Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N6,968,632,412.99
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 14: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-04/2024
Date of contract: 16th January, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Production of No. 100,000 A2 Size 15 pages branded calendar showcasing Government activities/monuments of the State and wall calendars.
MDA/S: Information, Culture and Tourism
Contractor: Fajag Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N88,325,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 15: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-05/2024
Date of contract: 16th January, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Production and supply of No. 1,000 branded diaries, notepads with power bank charging system, printing No. 2,000 Christmas Cards and printing and installation of No. 10 billboard banners.
MDA/S: Information, Culture and Tourism
Contractor: Shimatex Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N42,785,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 16: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-07/2024
Date of contract: 16th January, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Production and supply of No. 5,000 Benue State Executive Council almanacs.
MDA/S: Information, Culture and Tourism
Contractor: Gyaman Press and Art Works
Contract sum: N5,750,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 17: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-08/2024
Date of contract: 16th January, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Construction of Obarike Ito-Adum East-Oju Road, Benue State (35.0km).
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Centrefield Engineering Ltd.
Contract sum: N19,720,850,450.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 18: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-06/2024
Date of contract: 16th January, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Production of No. 3,000 Governor’s Official Portraits
MDA/S: Information, Culture and Tourism
Contractor: Fotib Digital Lab Points
Contract sum: N115,068,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 19: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-10/2024
Date of contract: 19th January, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Installation and maintenance of No. 448 Poles of Solar Street Lights in Makurdi Metropolis.
MDA/S: Energy, Science and Innovation
Contractor: Chivenoch Global Ltd.
Contract sum: N307,924,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 20: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-18/2024
Date of contract: 26th February, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Supply of 30 No. trucks of 600 bags of rice totalling 18,000 bags for the poor and vulnerable in the State.
MDA/S: Agric.
Contractor: Gerawa Rice Mill Ltd.
Contract sum: N1,041,930,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 21: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-20/2024
Date of contract: 1st march, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Purchase of 9 No. assorted vehicles for top Government functionaries.
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Gerawa Global Engineering Ltd.
Contract sum: N819,470,000.00
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 22: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State, which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-23/2024
Date of contract: 14th May, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Construction of Manyam-Unongo Village-Nambe Road (23.0km).
MDA/S: Works & Housing
Contractor: Enerco Nig. Ltd.
Contract sum: N4,996,093,899.35
Particulars of breach: No State Executive Council conclusion; no advert; no bidding; no budgetary provision; Certificate of No Objection is being backdated.
ALLEGATION NO. 23: GROSS ABUSE OF OFFICE AND OF DUE PROCESS
That, contrary to the express provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and public contracts/procurement Laws applicable to Benue State,
which Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia swore to protect, the said Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia awarded the following contract without due process:
Contract No: BSPPC-37/2024
Date of contract: 8th July, 2024
Nature/subject of contract: Procuremen