The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced the interrogation of senior officials of the Benue State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, alongside private consultants, over the alleged diversion of about ₦4.6 billion earmarked for the state’s 23 local government councils.
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Sources familiar with the investigation disclosed that the officials were invited and taken into custody about a week ago and are currently being held at the EFCC’s Makurdi zonal office.
The anti-graft agency is probing allegations that the funds were disbursed as consultancy fees for an audit of local government staff, pensioners, Primary Healthcare workers, and personnel of Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) across the state, but were allegedly siphoned in the process.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak publicly, revealed that the Chairman of the Benue State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, Vitalis Neji, is among those currently in EFCC custody.
According to the source, Neji and other officials were initially handled by the commission’s Special Task Force unit before being transferred to the Bank Fraud Department at the Makurdi zonal office as the investigation deepened.
It was gathered that the EFCC had earlier invited all 23 local government chairpersons in the state to explain their roles in the matter, while Directors of General Services and council treasurers had already been questioned.
One of the local government chairpersons, who confirmed the probe but requested anonymity, said the decision to conduct the audit was jointly taken after officials discovered widespread irregularities in the councils.
“The resolution was reached during our joint meeting,” the chairperson said. “The auditors were engaged to audit local government staff, pensioners, Primary Healthcare workers and LGEA personnel.”
He added that the audit exercise, which began about two weeks ago, was still ongoing in some councils and that consultancy payments varied depending on the workload involved.
The chairperson cautioned against politicising the investigation, describing it as a routine EFCC exercise, and said those invited by the commission had been treated professionally.
Reacting to the development, the Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Michael Oglegba, confirmed that the state government was aware of the EFCC’s action and would not interfere with the investigation.
“We have zero tolerance for anything that is not straightforward,” Oglegba said. “The EFCC is carrying out its investigation, and when it is concluded, the findings will be made public.”
He acknowledged that funds were paid for the audit exercise but said the investigation would determine whether due process was followed.
“Yes, there is an allegation. Yes, monies were paid for the process. The investigation is to determine whether the payments were properly made,” he said, adding that the government was fully cooperating with the EFCC.
Oglegba also warned public officials to adhere strictly to due process, noting that Governor Hyacinth Alia had made it clear that his administration would not tolerate corruption.
As of the time of filing this report, some of the officials involved were said to be taking steps to meet their bail conditions.
The EFCC probe comes amid heightened scrutiny of public finance management in Benue State. In January 2026, pensioners in the state issued a 14-day ultimatum, threatening mass protests over unpaid pension arrears and gratuities that have accumulated over several years.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners had disclosed that some retirees were owed up to 96 months of arrears at the local government level, while others reportedly received as little as ₦2,000 monthly, sparking repeated protests and public outcry.
Analysts say the EFCC investigation is likely to further intensify public scrutiny of how local government funds are managed in the state, particularly at a time when workers and pensioners continue to complain of salary deductions, unpaid entitlements and declining welfare.
The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on the arrests or formally confirm the identities of those under investigation.
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