Benue State, Nigeria – Prof. Joseph S. Alakali, the immediate past Secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG), has publicly refuted allegations of theft following a video circulating online in which the current Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia reportedly labeled him a thief.
In a statement issued today, Alakali expressed his dismay over the Governor’s remarks, asserting, “I am not a thief, have never been a thief, and will never be one.” He emphasized his gratitude to both God and the Governor for the opportunity to serve the state and clarified that he did not solicit the SSG position but was appointed based on trusted recommendations.
Alakali served as SSG for over a year, from May 30, 2023, to September 9, 2024. He maintained that he adhered to his oath of office, prioritizing accountability and integrity throughout his tenure. “I fear God and strive to please Him,” he stated, reinforcing his commitment to ethical conduct during his time in office.
The former SSG disassociated himself from the video’s content, which described him as a “perpetual thief.” He reiterated that he has never engaged in corrupt practices or misappropriated public funds. Alakali highlighted his previous contributions, including returning 75 million Naira to the Benue State government after compensation payments related to land issues.
Alakali expressed his shock at the Governor’s public comments, urging him to retract the statements made during a recent church function, which he described as “ridiculous and unacceptable.” He called for fairness, stating that he has not been tried or convicted in any court of law.
The statement reads:
“I am compelled to respond to the video circulating online in which ‘The Governor of Benue at an occasion, in a ridiculous manner, referred to the immediate past ‘Biro i Benue’ as a thief. Since I was the immediate past SSG ‘Biro i Benue’ I feel obligated to make a statement. I am not a thief, have never been a thief and will never be one.
“I remain grateful to God and to the Governor for the opportunity he gave me to serve Benue State as Secretary to the State Government (SSG). It’s on record that I did not approach the Governor to ask for the position of SSG in his government. I believe his decision to appoint me was based on the recommendations from HE’s trusted Benue people. To this I remain indebted to him. As a matter of fact, my appointment was greeted with much excitement in the Benue community, adding huge credibility to the new government.
“I served the Governor and Benue state with utmost commitment as SSG from 30th May, 2023 to 9th September 2024 (one year, four months). During this time, I kept to my oath of office, also being conscious that I am accountable to God, the Benue people and humanity. I constantly reminded myself that the SSG like others positions are transient, just a short phase in ones life. I adopted a slogan to myself and the Cabinet Office Staff that ‘whatever is legitimate to me I am willing to get but not anything outside this’. I kept this to the end. So again, stealing is not in my character. I fear God and strive to please him. Let The Governor please know this fact about me.
“To my beloved Benue people, I hereby categorically disassociate myself and take exception to the content of the video that referenced the former SSG as a perpetual thief that was in the government. I am not a thief and I did not sell government information. God knows, the Governor also should knows this. My past records are publicly available. I voluntarily resigned in 2017 as Professor of Food Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture then when I still had 14 years of service . I am currently an Adjunct Professor to the BSU World Bank Centre of Excellence. I am a sound Academic with over 1000 citation (over 1000 researchers globally have cited my works in their research. I received a commendation from Google Scholar in this regards). In the two institutions, both located in Makurdi and others elsewhere, I have taught and supervised several BSc, MSc and PhD students. I also headed a Department, College and Directorates in the universities. I have interacted wildly with many staff and students over the years. In the private sector I have schools and a Publishing company that writes, publishes and markets in Nigeria: Nursery, Primary and Junior Secondary School books in almost all subjects. The first and only company so far that has translated primary school books into the major indigenous languages in Nigeria. These engagements have given me the opportunity to interact widely with people who can attest to my character. I am actually a public figure in my right if you want.
“I have always fulfilled my duties without taking bribes or misappropriating public funds.
It is on record that I refunded N75m to the Benue government coffers as funds that were left after payment of the Navy land compensation. The committee I chaired and supervised the disbursement to land owners when I was SSG. The Governor and EXCO is aware of this. I never collected money from any contractor for discharging my obligations which were a must before any Exco approved contract could be executed.
“I am surprised by the accusations, especially regarding the Immigration Passport. This matter came up in February 2024, and was handled then. I did not bribe anybody because I was not at fault. I have explained the details about this to the Governor that if there was anything fishy thing about passport, it would have been that my signature was forged by some criminals. This I have already explained.
Let me put it on record that I have never sold any single Benue passport or government information, God bearing me witness. What could I actually have gotten from the sale of passports when I was a whole SSG of Benue state and had many avenues to be corrupt? How much can one get from the sale of passports?
“I am actually taken aback to hear the Governor refer to this matter again, and more shocked that he called me a thief that was in their midst and they did not know early enough. and in addition making jest of my person and character. This is ridiculous and unacceptable. The accusations from HE are too grave, weighty and in appropriate from a Governor I served respectfully, sacrificially and without a single gain. Even my legitimate entitlements contained in my letter of appointment as SSG were not given to me but I never complained.
“I appeal to the Governor to retract these non-complementary statements made in the public church function against the former SSG who has not been tried in any court of competent jurisdiction and convicted as a thief.
“The good thing here is that the Governor is a Priest and I am a Christian and The Almighty, Just and True God who is above us all is between us and the truth is bare before him.
I also appeal to the consciences of Nigerians who are following the unfolding developments.
I appreciate the public’s trust and concern for me and solicit for continued prayers”, he concluded.
