Alleged palliative diversion: Lawmaker to challenge Governor in court
The member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, Benue State, in the House of Representatives, Terseer Ugbor, has enlisted a legal team to challenge the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, in court over allegations of diverting palliatives meant for distribution to his constituents.
The law firm, Renaissance Legal Consulting, is expected to examine the accusations and consider taking appropriate legal action to protect the lawmaker’s image and set the record straight in court.
Speaking to our correspondent on Friday, Ugbor revealed that he is suing the Alia-led government for defamation of character, seeking N1 billion in compensation.
He stated that the N1 billion would be used to build a housing estate for displaced people in the Kwande/Ushongo constituency.
“While attending the United Nations General Assembly in the United States of America, I learned that the governor had confiscated a truckload of relief materials I secured for my constituents from the National Emergency Management Agency, and handed it over in Makurdi for investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
“While in the USA for the United Nations General Assembly at the invitation of the Presidency, I was informed that NEMA had approved additional palliatives for the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in response to my requests for further assistance,” he said.
Recall that last week, a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, Tersoo Kula, noted that “A truck was caught offloading relief materials meant for IDPs of the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency at a private residence in Makurdi.”
According to Kula, “It was later discovered that the goods were released from a National Emergency Management Agency warehouse in Jos and were supposed to be sponsored by the state government and delivered by the State Emergency Management Agency.”
House, as expressing dissatisfaction with the findings and directed anti-graft agencies to carry out further investigations. He also called on relevant officials to ensure the materials were distributed to the rightful recipients.
In response, however, Ugbor dismissed the accusations, claiming the governor’s actions were politically motivated and unnecessary.
He vowed to defend his reputation and do everything possible to ensure the palliatives reach vulnerable people.
“In light of this development, I have instructed my legal team to examine the accusations and consider taking appropriate action to safeguard my reputation and set the record straight in court.
“My support for the transportation, storage, and distribution of palliatives to displaced individuals in Kwande is not a new endeavour, yet it has seemingly provoked the governor’s displeasure,” he said.
He added that as a legislator, his efforts to secure benefits for his constituents should be acknowledged with gratitude in any other state.
The lawmaker further stated that the claim that SEMA was not informed was premature, as the seizure of the palliatives occurred upon their arrival in the state before any unloading, raising suspicions of political motives behind the incident.
“Accusations that the palliatives were unloaded at a private residence are unfounded, as the truck was parked in front of a well-known warehouse in Makurdi, not in a clandestine location,” he added.
