Alleged Corruption: EFCC Chairman Urged to Probe Ex-Benue Commissioner, Ally
- A group known as the Concerned Benue Citizens for Alia (CBCA) has petitioned the EFCC to probe former Benue Commissioner Ugwu Odoh and his ally, Hon. Abba Isaiah, for alleged fraud and abuse of office
- The group accused them of exploiting vulnerable women through fake empowerment initiatives
- CBCA demanded immediate arrests, a thorough investigation, and full restitution for over 2,000 victims, mostly from Ogbadibo LGA
Makurdi, Benue state - A group of indigenes from Benue state, under the platform Concerned Benue Citizens for Alia (CBCA), has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Ugwu Odoh, the former Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change.
In a letter dated Saturday, July, August 2 and signed by CBCA President Michael Obekpa, the group urged the anti-graft agency to arrest and prosecute Odoh over allegations of fraud, abuse of office, and embezzlement.
Source: Original
Alleged extortion of vulnerable women
CBCA accused Odoh and his ally, Hon. Abba Isaiah, of orchestrating fraudulent social investment initiatives during their time in office. The group claimed thousands of vulnerable women were duped into paying significant sums under the guise of empowerment programmes, including food vendor schemes and a teachers’ recruitment drive.
“Approximately 2,000 women from Ogbadibo Local Government Area alone have raised their voices in anguish, demanding refunds,” the petition stated.
“This is not merely a betrayal of public trust—it is a callous, criminal assault on the dignity and livelihoods of Benue’s most defenceless citizens.”
CBCA further alleged that since Odoh's dismissal, Isaiah has not been seen and has remained unreachable.
EFCC urged to take immediate action
The group called on the EFCC to act urgently to prevent potential obstruction of justice, including the destruction of evidence or intimidation of victims.
CBCA’s demands include:
- Immediate arrest of Hon. Ugwu Odoh and Hon. Abba Isaiah
- A comprehensive investigation into all financial transactions, bank records, and communication linked to the alleged scheme
- Prosecution under the EFCC Act and Nigeria’s Criminal Code
- Full restitution to the affected women, particularly those in Ogbadibo LGA
Citing the EFCC’s recent arraignment of Dr. Mkor Aondona for extortion and related offences in June, CBCA said the commission must bring similar urgency to the Odoh case.
“The EFCC must unleash its full might to bring Odoh and his accomplices to justice,” the group emphasised.
Neither Hon. Odoh nor Hon. Isaiah had responded publicly to the allegations.
Source: Twitter
EFCC arrests accountant-general in Abuja
In another report, EFCC operatives recently arrested Sirajo Jaja, the Bauchi state accountant-general.
The anti-graft agency also arrested Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator who is allegedly unlicensed and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a point of sale (PoS) operator.
A source within the anti-corruption agency disclosed that the trio were arrested in connection with investigations of diversion of public funds, money laundering, and misappropriation of N70 billion.
Source: Legit.ng
