_House acts on Governor Alia’s letter, says suspension necessary to allow unimpeded investigation.

By Felix Umade, Makurdi

The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended the Auditor General for Local Government, Mr. Abraham Gberidyer, over allegations of financial misappropriation and fraud involving ₦4.6 billion.

The resolution was passed unanimously during a plenary session on Tuesday, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS, RQS.

The suspension followed a formal letter from Governor Hyacinth Alia, transmitted to the House through the Office of the Head of Service. In the letter, the governor outlined “serious financial impropriety” levelled against Gberidyer and informed the legislature that the Auditor General is currently under investigation for corruption.

According to the correspondence, Gberidyer cannot remain in office while the probe is ongoing, in line with constitutional provisions relating to the removal of a corrupt public officer. The governor urged the House to act to ensure the integrity of the process and to prevent interference with the investigation.

Lawmakers debated the matter briefly before resolving that suspending the Auditor General was the most appropriate step to uphold transparency and accountability in the management of local government finances.

“The House unanimously suspends the Auditor General from office to pave the way for a proper investigation,” the Speaker announced after the voice vote.

The office of the Auditor General for Local Government is constitutionally mandated to audit and report on the financial activities of all 23 local government councils in the state. The position is considered critical to ensuring fiscal discipline and preventing misuse of public funds at the grassroots level.

The ₦4.6 billion in question is said to relate to irregularities flagged in the administration and disbursement of local government allocations. While details of the specific transactions have not been made public, the scale of the alleged fraud has raised concern among lawmakers and civil society groups, particularly given the financial strain on many LGAs in the state.

Political observers say the move also signals a renewed push by the legislature to assert its oversight role. By acting swiftly on the governor’s request, the House has avoided what could have been a protracted standoff between the executive and the audit office.

The Assembly did not announce an interim replacement for the Auditor General, but legislative sources indicate that a senior official within the office is expected to be appointed in an acting capacity pending the outcome of the investigation.

With Gberidyer now out of office, anti-corruption and investigative agencies are expected to intensify their probe. The House has not specified a timeline for the investigation but said it would monitor developments closely to ensure due process is followed.

The recent peace meeting of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has come and gone, leaving behind a moment of reflection for all stakeholders in the political and social landscape of the state. While such meetings are commendable as steps toward resolving internal party conflicts, the larger question remains: can political reconciliation translate into genuine peace for the people of Benue State?

Benue has, for years, grappled with deep-seated challenges, most notably insecurity, which continues to threaten lives, livelihoods, and the general well-being of citizens. Communities have been displaced, farmers have abandoned their lands, and families live in constant fear. In this context, political disagreements—no matter how intense must not overshadow the urgent need to secure lives and restore stability across the state.

The APC peace meeting should not be seen as an end in itself but as a beginning. True peace goes beyond political alignments and power-sharing arrangements; it must reflect in the daily experiences of ordinary citizens. It must be visible in safer communities, functional institutions, and a renewed sense of hope among the people. Political actors must therefore rise above factional interests and prioritize policies and actions that directly address insecurity and promote unity.

It is important to emphasize that the lives of Benue citizens matter more than party politics. No political ambition or rivalry should take precedence over the safety and dignity of the people. Leaders must demonstrate sincerity, not just in words spoken at meetings, but in concrete efforts to foster peace, dialogue, and inclusive governance.

For the youths of Benue State, there are critical lessons to learn from the current situation. Youths must not allow themselves to be used as instruments of political manipulation or violence. Instead of being drawn into thuggery, they should demand and pursue meaningful opportunities such as job creation, skills development, and fair employment placement. A society that truly values its youth invests in their future not in their exploitation.

It is also a matter of concern that youths were largely excluded from the said peace meeting, the outcomes of which were determined behind closed doors. While decisions were being made at the top, many young people were left outside reduced to mere spectators, or worse, mobilized as noise-makers on the streets and at the gates of their political patrons. This pattern reflects a troubling disconnect between leadership and the youth population that constitutes the majority.

Furthermore, it is evident that youths are often not among those considered for strategic political opportunities such as automatic tickets or meaningful representation. Instead, political structures tend to favor established figures and, in many cases, their family members who continue to climb the ladder of power. This reality calls for a rethinking of inclusion and fairness within the political system, ensuring that merit, competence, and youth participation are given due recognition.

Youths must therefore rise above these limitations by embracing political awareness, education, and constructive engagement. They must organize, advocate, and position themselves not as tools in the hands of others, but as stakeholders with legitimate voices and aspirations.

Well meaning individuals across the state also have a role to play. Peacebuilding is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of traditional leaders, religious institutions, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders.
Dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect must be encouraged at all levels of society.

As Benue moves forward, the call is clear: let the peace that has been discussed in political circles translate into real, tangible peace for every citizen. Let there be an end to insecurity, an end to unnecessary political strife, and a renewed commitment to the common good.

Only then can Benue State truly move from political peace to people centered peace a peace that guarantees safety, justice, and prosperity for all.

By
Patrick Terfa Angbagh
President General
Tiv Youth Organisation
4th May, 2026

–As police arrest, repatriate $245 million ponzi Chinese suspect

By Our Reporter

Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has called on Nigerians to embark on due diligence with the police before employing or doing any business with foreigners.

This call is coming on the heels of the recent arrest and repatriation of a Chinese fugitive, Qu Qing, to account for his alleged crimes.

Qu Qing was arrested and repatriated to China over $245 million ponzi fraud through a coordinated operation between the Nigeria Police Force and the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja.

The repatriation, according to Force spokesman, DCP Anthony Placid, was as a result of a formal request from Chinese authorities, who declared the suspect wanted in Beijing for his alleged involvement in a financial fraud scheme estimated at over Two Hundred and Forty-Five Million United States Dollars ($245,000,000).

Placid added, investigations revealed that the suspect fled China to Nigeria on 5th November 2024 in an attempt to evade arrest, following which an arrest warrant was issued against him on 12th November 2025 by the Shinan Sub-Bureau of Qingdao Public Security.

Acting on intelligence and sustained surveillance operations, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja successfully tracked and arrested the fugitive at a factory located in Olowotedo, Siun Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State on 24th April 2026.

He revealed that after the arrest, the suspect was repatriated to the People’s Republic of China on 28th April 2026 through bilateral police cooperation arrangements to face prosecution for the offences.