Benue Government, CJI Clash Over Alleged N500 Million Bribery Scandal

The Benue State Government and the Centre for Judicial Integrity (CJI) are locked in a heated dispute over allegations of a ₦500 million bribe to influence the National Judicial Council (NJC) regarding the removal of the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

The CJI has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate claims that state officials allocated the funds to sway NJC proceedings.

The group also linked the ongoing judiciary workers’ strike, which began in December 2024, to the government’s failure to implement the ₦75,000 minimum wage for judiciary staff. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, CJI convener Solomon Adodo alleged that certain government officials had made repeated trips to Abuja to lobby NJC officials, but some council members reportedly refused to accept any payments, reinforcing confidence in the judiciary’s integrity.

In response, Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. He accused certain individuals in Abuja of attempting to tarnish the governor’s reputation.

“We strongly refute the groundless claims made by the Centre for Judicial Integrity (CJI) regarding Governor Hyacinth Alia’s alleged involvement in bribing judiciary officials. If CJI and its sponsors have any evidence, they should present it publicly or face the legal consequences of their reckless accusations,” Kula stated.

He further criticized the group for spreading false accusations without proof, stating clearly that the Benue governor respects the judiciary and would never interfere in its independence.

The CJI, however, insisted that the state government’s actions were an attempt to undermine judicial independence. The group condemned what it described as political interference and called on the NJC to remain firm in upholding justice.

The organization also urged anti-corruption agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged fund misappropriation, stressing that any attempt to manipulate NJC processes could erode public trust in the judiciary.

Meanwhile, Kula labeled the CJI’s call for a “state of emergency” in Benue State as baseless and politically driven, insisting that Governor Alia remains in full control of the state.

“The people of Benue are not deceived by false accusations or political gimmicks. The state is experiencing remarkable progress under Governor Alia, and these desperate allegations are merely distractions from the real work of governance,” he added.

He further emphasized that Governor Alia has no hidden wealth to bribe anyone, particularly an institution as revered as the NJC. Instead, he said, the administration is focused on transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

Kula urged those behind the allegations to reconsider their actions, warning that their attempts to destabilize the state’s governance would not succeed.