Benue Assembly rejects commissioner nominee after petition by former students

The Benue State House of Assembly on Wednesday rejected the nomination of Timothy Ornguga as commissioner, following petitions accusing him of dehumanisation, academic victimisation, and psychological abuse of students as a lecturer at the Benue State University (BSU).

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Mr Ornguga, alongside another nominee, James Dwen, failed to pass the screening after the assembly deemed their responses to the petitions unsatisfactory.

The lawmakers have asked Governor Hyacinth Alia to forward two new names to replace them.

Six nominees were, however, confirmed. They are Theresa Odachi, Benjamin Ashaver, Adamu Margaret, Peter Oboh, Denis Iyaighgba, and Paul Ogwuche.

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The speaker of the House commended members for their diligence and urged the confirmed nominees to serve the people of Benue with integrity.

Backstory

Mr Ornguga’s nomination sparked weeks of protests, petitions, and strong opposition. Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), an international NGO, formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over his nomination. The petition was backed by the BSU Law Class of 2015 Forum and later by the Law Class of 2021, Set Nobilis.

The petitions alleged a long-standing pattern of misconduct. One case repeatedly cited is that of Maureen Sambe, who narrated how her academic journey was frustrated for over 17 years under what she described as Mr Ornguga’s victimisation as lecturer and examination officer.

Another involved Karen Bitto, a top-performing law student, who was arbitrarily failed in Constitutional Law until the grade was overturned after an external intervention.

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HEDA argued that those accounts point to systemic abuse and urged the ICPC to investigate whether Mr Ornguga’s conduct is that of criminal culpability.

The rejection of his nomination marks the first major setback in the governor’s new cabinet formation.

Governor Hyacinth Alia had, on July 30, dissolved the Benue State Executive Council and immediately appointed Moses Atagher, a former two-term Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, as his new Chief of Staff.

The governor thanked the former commissioners who worked with him for two years and directed them to hand over to the permanent secretaries of their ministries, while urging those not reappointed to remain in the party and continue contributing to the system.